All passenger flights to / from the Da Nang International Airport now remain suspended until further notice as Da Nang has extended its strict social distancing rules in a bid to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

An Vietnam Airlines aircraft (Photo: VNA)

In particular, upcoming flights to bring Vietnamese travellers and foreigners stranded in Da Nang back to Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City are permitted, provided that the Health Ministry-mandated infection prevention and control measures are put in place.

All of air passengers and crew members on board the flights must have their health checked, and they are required to complete their health declaration. They will be placed into isolation for 2 weeks upon arrival.  Also, the aircraft, the entire passenger cabin and cockpit and cargo storage area are required to be disinfected after landing.

Domestic passenger flights to/from other destinations nationwide, except for Da Nang, and cargo flights are allowed to operate as usual.

In regards to roadways, bans on the operation of fixed passenger coaches to and from the city-based coach stations, taxi services, contracted vehicles, and intra-city and inter-provincial bus services connecting Da Nang with its neighbouring localities of Quang Nam and Thua Thien Hue provinces, and inland waterway passenger transport activities, remain in place.

Specialised vehicles used for Covid-19 task forces, or for transporting food, essential supplies, production materials, workers and experts for businesses are still allowed to operate as normal.

However, to be eligible to run on roads, these specialised vehicles must not fill more than half of available seats and the total number of passengers on each trip must not be more than 20. Also, passengers are required to maintain at least two metre distance from others.  All people on these vehicles must wear face coverings, wash their hands with soap and water and use hand sanitizer, and declare their health status before boarding.

Inter-provincial passenger coaches nationwide which run through Da Nang on their journeys are prohibited to pick-up or drop-off their passengers in the city.

Restrictions on domestic trains to/from the Da Nang railway station remain in place.

Meanwhile, trains operating on the Ha Noi - Ho Chi Minh City route are permitted to operate as normal, but their stops at the Da Nang railway station for pick-up and drop-off services are completely prohibited.

By PHUONG UYEN – Translated by A.T