Vietnam considers using COVID vaccine passport: PM says

Thursday, 18-03-2021 / 9:53:22 AM

By : Nguyễn Công Luân

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Vietnam will soon consider use of COVID ‘vaccine passport’ to reopen its market for international travel and trade exchange under right conditions, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked relevant ministries and agencies to consider reopening the international transport and tourism markets soon.

Phuc said he has received recommendations regarding the use of the COVID vaccine passport from the National Tourism Advisory Board, and asked relevant ministries and agencies to consider them.

“We are aware that a large number of businesses have been struggling to survive the COVID-19 pandemic…. We must introduce appropriate policies to support them, especially those working in transport and tourism services,” Phuc told a meeting on March 17 between permanent Cabinet members and the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

He requested the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to examine the Tourism Advisory Board’s recommendations as well as other countries’ experience to submit a proposal to the Government for consideration and approval.

He reminded that as the COVID-19 pandemic is evolving in a complex manner globally, the reopening of international transport and tourism markets should be carefully examined and carried out step by step, under right conditions.

The National Tourism Advisory Board earlier this month stressed Vietnam will be left behind if it runs after a number of regional countries that have accepted the use of a vaccine passport.

The agency recommended that Vietnam should not wait until the COVID-19 pandemic is completely stamped out globally, and a COVID ‘vaccine passport’ should be considered as a travel pass for international tourists.

However, some experts warned that a vaccine passport cannot completely protect the recipient from virus infection, especially when factors such as the efficiency of the vaccine and mutations of the virus are considered.

During a meeting on March 3, the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control assigned the Ministry of Health to take initial preparatory steps towards the use of a vaccine passport.