The Civil Aviation Administration of Viet Nam CAAV) has urged airport authorities across Viet Nam along with domestic and foreign airlines to inform international arrivals from or passing through countries that have reported cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant about rapid antigen testing entry requirements in line with the guidelines of the Vietnamese Prime Minister.

The move came after aviation authorities had raised concerns about potential overcrowding and potential spread of the coronavirus at nationwide airports as international arrivals are required to get a rapid antigen test before boarding and after landing.

The CAAV is asking domestic airlines to continue to add the cost of the rapid test to their flight tickets for international passengers arriving at nationwide airports.

Foreign airlines can choose one of two options, in which COVID-19 testing costs are included in their ticket prices or incurred by passengers upon arrival at the destination airport.

However, the cost of COVID-19 rapid testing must not be higher than that defined in the Ministry of Health’s Circular No. 16 dated November 8, 2021.

Deputy Minister of Transport Le Anh Tuan said that domestic and foreign airlines had asked the ministry to lift COVID-19 testing requirements for air travellers to Viet Nam before and after boarding as some foreign airports do not provide rapid testing services before the flight and the costs of rapid testing at some airports are very expensive.

Moreover, the compulsory rapid testing for international arrivals after landing at Vietnamese airports during the peak time could result in overcrowding at the airport, and an increased risk of transmission, Mr Tuan said.

The ministry asked the Vietnamese Government to allow passengers to use pre-flight RT-PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 only, instead of rapid testing before boarding and after landing.

If the regulation on COVID-19 rapid testing is still maintained, the ministry has suggested that rapid testing be implemented only once, after landing.

Reporting by PHUONG UYEN – Translating by H.L