Advice for UK Education Institutions on Covid-19 impact in East Asia
Summary
At the British Council, the health and safety of all our visitors, staff and the communities in which we operate is our top priority. We support and cooperate with all local government agencies to put all necessary measures in place to ensure the continued well-being of all with whom we engage in the course of our operations.
This post is to keep UK institutions updated on disruptions across the East Asia region caused by the Covid-19 outbreak.
For travel advice, please refer to FCO updates, and we would encourage institutions who are considering travelling to sign up for alerts - https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We also strongly encourage visiting local government health websites to stay abreast of the prevailing health advisory and precautionary measures in any country.
For IELTS test arrangements as a result of Novel Coronavirus precautions, please see: https://www.ielts.org/news/2020/changes-to-ielts-test-arrangements-in-some-locations-due-to-novel-coronavirus.
We are monitoring the situation very closely and will continue to provide updates as the situation develops. Please find current information by country/territory as per below:
Key Updates
China: Ministry of Education released guidance on pandemic prevention and work plan to kick off the new autumn semester.
Indonesia: Jakarta (Central Government) has now allowed to resume limited face-to-face classes at schools after it was announced that the capital city would have relaxations for some sectors.
South Korea: The greater Seoul area, home to around half of the nation's 52-million population, has extended the highest distancing measures of Level 4 for another two weeks through 5 September.
Vietnam: Around two million students in Hanoi are expected to resume school on 1 September. Ho Chi Minh City plans to reopen schools in mid-September, two weeks later than the rest of the country, and start with online classes.
China
Updated 25 August
Overview
By 25 August, there are 20 reported new cases (16 imported cases, 4 local cases), leading to a total of 1575 confirmed cases in mainland China.
According to the government’s risk area update, there are 4 high risk areas ( 1 in Jiangsu, 1 in Yunnan, 2 in Henan) and 43 medium risk areas, most of which are located in Jiangsu and Henan.
Education Sector
In late August, Ministry of Education released the guidance on pandemic prevention and work plan to kick off the new autumn semester, some highlights include:
All levels of education institutions shall keep regular and dynamic track for students/staff travel records and health condition (for both off-campus and in-campus groups)
All universities and schools shall implement a staggering reopen approach to avoid peak season, institutions in medium to high level risk areas should postpone the opening schedule to ensure staff and students’ safety.
strict pandemic control measures will be implemented, measures include health management and monitoring of key groups (security, sanitation, food service crew etc.), regular disinfection work in public facilities (classrooms, dormitory, library, gym etc.), strict management of large-scale events.
Design and implement teaching plans according to the different reopen approach (postponed or regular), encourage institutions to combine offline and online teaching measures, develop online learning resources and support to ensure students’ learning experience
Provide support for on-campus students and staff, daily service include dynamic public facility schedule update, mental health support etc.
Domestic travel
Regular pandemic prevention and control measures in the public space and transportation- wearing masks, green health code check
People are not encouraged to travel to medium / high risk areas
If travellers are from medium/high risk areas, they shall comply with local prevention & control policy to go through test and quarantine etc. (for people travel from high-risk area to shanghai, they shall take 14 days quarantine in designated place + 2 covid tests. People from medium risk area shall take home quarantine + 2 tests)
International entry
Beijing – 14 +7 (14 days quarantine in designated places + 7 home quarantine)
Guangzhou – 14 days quarantine in designated places + 7 days home-based quarantine
Shanghai – 14 days quarantine in designated places + 7 days community- based health monitoring (6 tests)
Sources:
http://www.nhc.gov.cn/xcs/yqfkdt/202108/2207f1348f0e4ef7a27470068393dc95.shtml
http://bmfw.www.gov.cn/yqfxdjcx/risk.html
http://www.moe.gov.cn/jyb_xwfb/gzdt_gzdt/s5987/202108/t20210820_552773.html
Hong Kong
Updated 25 August
Covid-19 numbers in Hong Kong remain very low. Meanwhile, in view of the developments of global pandemic situation, the government decided to tighten the border control measures for inbound travellers . Only fully vaccinated HK residents travelling from the UK, or other “high-risk” and “medium-risk” countries are allowed to enter the city. They will also not be able to shorten the quarantine period despite holding positive result proof of a recognised serology antibody test conducted within the past three months. As for non-HK residents, those who aren’t fully vaccinated but travel from “medium risk” countries will not be permitted to board flights for Hong Kong .
Sources:
Points to Note for Quarantine for Inbound Travellers https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html
Airport serology antibody test shelved: https://www.news.gov.hk/eng/2021/08/20210818/20210818_130917_492.html?type=category&name=covid19&tl=t
Hong Kong opens walk-in vaccinations to school pupils aged 12+ from 20 August
Students aged 12 or above will be able to take their coronavirus jabs at 24 vaccination centres without a booking from 20 August. It was reported that the government wishes to boost the vaccination rate within the student population, so local schools could resume face-to-face classes on a full-day basis in phases. Currently, residents aged 16 or above have two vaccine options - Sinovac (China) and BioNTech (German/US) to choose from, but only the latter one will be available for young students from Year 8 to Year 11.
Source: https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1607495-20210825.htm
Local schools to continue in-person classes on a half-day basis in September
The Education Bureau (EDB) announced that all schools and private education institutions are permitted to resume in-person classes for all pupils on a half-day basis in the new school year. It is also said schools who achieved 70%+ vaccination rate for both staff members and students would be considered to operate whole-day face-to-face classes.
HKDSE Results 2021
This year’s Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) exam results were released for 52,131 candidates, including 45,257day school candidates. The total number of candidates decreased by 2.79% compared to 2020. 17,786 day school candidates met entry criteria (achieved Level 3 or above), compared to last year’s 19,676 candidates. This represents 42.3%, which is comparable to last year.
The HKDSE exam includes four core subjects - English, Chinese, Core Mathematics and Liberal Studies. Amongst the candidates, over 54.2% of them obtained at least Level 3 in English and over 81.8% of them obtained Level 2 or above in Maths.
There are only 15,000 publicly funded places are available via the JUPAS system (the Hong Kong university application system). Those that miss out will either look to study abroad or enter expensive self-funded programmes.
Source: https://www.hkeaa.edu.hk/DocLibrary/Media/PR/DSE21_Press_Release_Eng.pdf
British Council operations
In line with the HK government’s new social-distancing rules, The British Council will be closed to the general public. For the most up-to-date information on our services, please visit our website: www.britishcouncil.hk/en/covid-19 . We are of course happy to hold meetings with the UK Education sector by means of online calls.
Travel restrictions in summary
Non-Hong Kong residents will be denied entry into HK
Transit flight services at Hong Kong International Airport resumed from 01 June 2020
Residents and valid visa holders travelling from outside of China (excluding very high-risk places specified otherwise) must supply a negative Covid-19 test result 72 hours prior to flight departure time and a confirmation letter of hotel reservation for 21-day self-quarantine before boarding for HK.
In light with the spike of infection cases in Taiwan, as of 16 May, travellers who stayed in Taiwan over the past 14 days require to comply with the same rules as passengers travelling from outside of China. Non-HK residents will be denied for entry.
Sources:
Centre for Health Protection (CHP), HKSAR
Government further tightens quarantine and testing arrangements for persons arriving from Taiwan
Macau
- Macao government also lowered the age limit for Pfizer/BionTech vaccine to 12.
Source: https://macaonews.org/covid-19/macao-to-lower-biontech-jab-age-limit-to-12/
Indonesia
Updated 25 August
Indonesia continues to have movement restrictions of varying levels across the country; however, some relaxations have been introduced for Jakarta and Bali from 24 August 2021.
The relaxations include partial reopening of restaurants, shopping malls and places of worship in some areas. Places of worship and restaurants will be allowed to operate at 25 percent capacity while shopping malls will be allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity for specific locations. Since a peak of new infections of Covid-19 in Indonesia on 15 July, new cases have fallen 78 percent.
Education
Jakarta (Central Government) has now allowed to resume limited face-to-face classes at schools after it was announced that the capital city would have relaxations for some sectors. Rules on face-to-face learning are noted in the Home Affairs Ministry for Java and Bali Region. Based on the instruction signed by the Home Affairs Minister, face-to-face learning must be carried out at a maximum of 50 percent of the total capacity. This also applies to all educational institutions from primary education to the university level across the capital.
Early childhood education can now operate at 33 percent capacity with a maximum of five students per class. Education for children with special needs, such as SDLB, MILB, SMPLB, SMALB, and MALB, is also allowed to operate at 62 percent up to 100 percent capacity while maintaining a safe distance of 1.5 meters and a maximum of five students per class.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1498002/level-3-ppkm-jakarta-allowed-to-reopen-limited-face-to-face-classes
The Provincial Deputy Governor (Jakarta) has announced that the provincial government is still reviewing the situation. No decision has yet been issued regarding resumption of face-to-face learning at schools in the province. The government would prefer to wait till all teachers and school staff are fully vaccinated.
The Ministry of Education has announced different protocol requirements for the resumption of face to face teaching/learning. These vary for schools, boarding schools, madrasas, higher education institutions and practical work for students across different regions.
Travel
Due to the local lockdown restrictions, the Visa Application Centre at Surabaya is closed till further notice. The two Visa Application Centres in Jakarta and Bali are open for operation and are processing visa applications, however, with reduced operational hours/capacity.
Information and updates on travel/immigration regulations during the Covid-19 pandemic are regularly updated at https://www.imigrasi.go.id/en/covid19/ for national and international travellers.
Public events
Large scale public events are not allowed, and advisories are changing on a regular basis.
British Council Activity
British Council staff continue to work from home.
Japan
Updated 20 August
Latest news
Japan's government has decided to expand the coronavirus state of emergency to seven more prefectures of Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Shizuoka, Kyoto, Hyogo and Fukuoka from 20 August.
The government is also extending the duration of the state of emergency in Tokyo, Osaka and the four other prefectures until 12 September in all areas where it is in force. Quasi-emergency measures will also be expanded to 16 prefectures to September 12.Japan starts issuing vaccine passports. A vaccine passport certifies that holders are fully vaccinated, ensuring they are exempt from self-isolation requirements or are subject only to relaxed measures upon arrival at a number of foreign destinations.
Public Events
Paralympics to be held with no spectators at any of the venues. Meanwhile, a number of schoolchildren are to be allowed to view selected events in each of the four prefectures as part of a special programme.
Schools and Universities
The Ministry of Education (MEXT) has continued to announce that all the students who were planning to go study abroad should align to the safety information of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and recommended to refrain from going to the level 3 countries and also to the countries or regions where the government has announced that people have been infected with the mutated virus. The Japanese Universities are making their decision aligned to this Government’s announcement.
MEXT has continued to encourage elementary schools, junior high schools and high schools to continue to provide educational activities, including school events and club activities, as much as possible in consideration of the situation of infection in the region. For universities and other institutions, they should take appropriate measures to ensure both the prevention of infection and the availability of learning opportunities through the face to face classes and online classes.
British Council Activities
Considering the government announcement, all the universities are still postponing the onsite exchange programs and it is difficult for the students to realize their plan to study abroad. On the other hand, we have been receiving some request from Japanese Universities. We will conduct one webinar for Miya International school later this month.
Malaysia
Updated 25 August
Government Response
Malaysia announced relaxations for the fully vaccinated across eight states that have met criteria such as reduced case numbers or higher vaccination rates. The slight relaxation allows dining in at restaurants and outdoor individual sports. These measures will not affect Kuala Lumpur and surrounding areas where infection rates remain the highest.
The measures to contain the spike in daily increase of Covid-19 infections do remain in place and include strict monitoring and random checks to ensure compliance with SOPs. Inter-district or inter-state travel remain banned along with gatherings. The measures and SOPs for visiting public places within districts include wearing of masks, temperature checks and contact tracing along with other measures.
The accelerated Malaysian vaccination drive has resulted in 41% of the population in being fully vaccinated by 25 August 2021.
Sources:
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/08/25/40-of-the-population-fully-vaccinated-now
Education
One of the measures by the government to contain the spread of Covid-19 had been that all education institutions would continue with online teaching and learning till end of August 2021. Earlier it was announced that schools would start to re-open in stages from September. However, the opening of schools has been pushed ahead to 3 October 2021. The re-opening of schools will begin with students sitting for examinations.
Source: https://www.malaysianow.com/news/2021/08/15/schools-to-delay-reopening-until-oct-3/
Travel Restrictions
The Malaysian government announced that the VFS Global Visa Application Centre at Kuala Lumpur can now operate at an extended operational capacity of 50%. VFS have also added an additional Visa Application Centre in Kuala Lumpur at Brickfields Asia College. Both visa application centres are now operating simultaneously, and students/applicants can choose either location when booking or rescheduling their appointments.
Sources:
The coordinating minister for the Covid-19 National Immunisation Programme had previously announced that discussions are on-going with strategic nations such as Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States and China for clearer travel policies, particularly for travellers who are fully vaccinated.
British Council Activities
British Council staff continue to work mostly from home.
Singapore
Updated 25 August
Singapore has implemented several updates to the management protocols for Covid-19, in preparation for a transition towards an endemic situation. Infection numbers are stable and the number of individuals with severe illnesses and deaths are under control. The National vaccination programme is progressing well, with the target of 80% of the population being vaccinated by early September well within reach.
Current protocols include differentiated safe management measures for vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals.
Source: https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19-phase-advisory
Vaccinations
As of 21 August 2021, 78% of the population has completed their full regimen/received two doses of Covid-19 vaccines, and 82% has received at least one dose.
Travel advisory
Border controls now include differentiated measures for travellers from countries/regions that have controlled the pandemic well and have also vaccinated large parts of their population. These are premised on a traveller’s 21-day travel history prior to their entry into Singapore.
Source: https://www.moh.gov.sg/docs/librariesprovider5/pressroom/press-releases/annex-b-(1).pdf
Vaccinated Travel Lanes are also being piloted, to be initially rolled out for Brunei and Germany.
Source: https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/vtl/requirements-and-process
Travel for studies
For international students, Student Pass Holder Lane (STPL) regulations apply. These health control requirements (including pre-departure tests, quarantine measures upon arrival in Singapore, further testing in-country, and contact tracing measures) would also be stated as conditions of entry approval where relevant.
Source: https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/arriving/overview
For students, the governmental advisory continues to allow travel for studies for students pursuing academic studies or professional qualifications overseas, for courses or examinations which require physical presence in the foreign educational institution. Students enrolled in local educational institutions may travel overseas to complete a compulsory course component or examination that cannot be completed locally. Students below the age of 18 may be accompanied by an adult. Mature students may travel overseas with their dependents who will be residing with them for the duration of their studies.
Source: https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/updates-on-border-and-community-measures
Safe Management measures at Educational institutions
These include:
Wearing of masks in school and on campus at all times;
Daily temperature-taking in schools, and continued temperature and symptom screening at entrances of IHLs. Students/staff with Acute Respiratory Infection symptoms will be required to stay away from schools/IHLs and are advised to see a doctor;
Regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces and disinfection of premises daily;
Frequent hand-washing throughout the school day and the wipe-down of tables after use;
Fixed exam-style seating in schools;
Staggered recess in schools;
Fixed seating arrangements with at least 1m spacing in canteens, classrooms or at appropriate venues;
Dining in canteens and dining halls at the IHLs to continue with the necessary Safety measures;
Students to have their TraceTogether token/app with them throughout the school day to facilitate accurate contact tracing;
Visitors and staff to check in using their TraceTogether token/app to be allowed entry into schools/institutions, and must have the token/app with them throughout.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/faqs-covid-19-infection
Schools
Mask-off outdoor activities such as sports and physical education classes can resume for secondary schools and junior colleges for up to groups of five.
Indoor mask-on activities are allowed for groups of up to five.
Institutes of Higher Learning:
Indoor and outdoor mask-on activities at IHLs, such as small-group consultation, group/project work as well as in-person CCAs, are now allowed in groups of five, regardless of the individuals’ vaccination status.
Outdoor mask-off activities of up to five persons are allowed as well, regardless of vaccination status.
Indoor mask-off activities are allowed in groups of up to five persons, as long as all individuals in the group are vaccinated.
All IHLs will continue to cap in-person class and lecture sizes at no more than 50 persons.
Internships and work attachments will continue, with students adhering to the prevailing SMMs at the organisations that they are attached with.
Sources:
https://www.moe.gov.sg/faqs-covid-19-infection
The Ministry of Health in Singapore provides a regularly updated status report on the daily Covid-19 situation at https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19
South Korea
Updated on 24 August
The greater Seoul area, home to around half of the nation's 52-million population, has extended the highest distancing measures of Level 4 for another two weeks through 5 September. The toughest distancing restrictions ban gatherings of more than two people after 6 p.m. and place a 10 p.m. curfew on restaurants and cafes, and a ban on nightclubs and other entertainment venues.
The country also decided to enforce Level 3 distancing restrictions in the non-capital areas from Tuesday until 5 September to better contain the virus during the summer holiday season. Under Level 3, cafes and restaurants can accept customers until 10 p.m. and only takeout and delivery services are available after that time. Private gatherings of more than five people are banned, while mass-gathering events can accommodate less than 50 people.
As of 24 August, A total of 26.3 million people, or 51.2 percent of the country's population, have received their first shots of COVID-19 vaccines, and 12.28 million people have been fully vaccinated.
The Ministry of Education announced that in-person classes will be expanded in phases during the second semester.
According to the ministry, kindergartners and first and second graders will be able to attend in-person classes regardless of which social distancing level the health authorities designate.
At Level 3, three-quarters of elementary school students between grades three and six, two-thirds of middle school students and half of first- and second-year high school students can go to their classrooms.
At Level 4, the most restrictive level, which is currently in place for the Greater Seoul area, only first and second graders in elementary school, a third of middle school students and half of first- and second-year high school students will be able to attend face-to-face classes.
Sources:
KCDC (Korean government’s official website for Covid-19)
KBR (http://www.koreabiomed.com)
Taiwan
Updated 23 August
Taiwan’s cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus upon 22 August leaving the total number of cases at 15,926, and 828 deaths since the pandemic began at the end of December 2019, according to the Central Epidemic Command Centre (CECC) (source).
To keep social distancing of 1.5M and to wear the masks when entering to restaurant and public transportations are requested by the CDC. For information on the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Taiwan, please visit the Taiwan Centres for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov.tw/En
Taiwan eleven public venues are closed for accessing till further notice.
Most public large events like exhibition or show are currently closed or if open but various events and activities are requested to wearing the masks, and some still maintain temperature measures and alcohol spraying when entering the venue.
Schools and Universities
Taiwan to soon reopen border for international students: MOE
Taiwan's Ministry of Education (MOE) on Friday said the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) has approved its plan to allow international students enrolled in Taiwanese schools to re-enter the country, as those without resident permits are currently barred from doing so. Taiwan tightened its border restrictions on 19 May after the country saw a spike in domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases. Since then, only Taiwanese nationals and foreign nationals with resident permits have been allowed in, with exceptions made on a case-by-case basis for emergencies and on humanitarian grounds. The Friday announcement came after the MOE said in early August that it was drafting a plan to allow students without residency permits to come to Taiwan as the new school semester is about to start in September.The government is concerned about the rights of overseas students and has planned to relaunch the project
The Government attaches great importance to the rights and interests of overseas students. The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Consular Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Immigration Department and other relevant authorities, has discussed the measures for the entry of overseas students. The principles of the proposed measures are as follows. The Ministry of Education (MOE) also issued a letter on 13 August, asking schools to initiate a peace of mind programme for students who are not able to arrive at school before the start of the school year during the home quarantine period for foreign students, and to provide online registration and various flexible study mechanisms (e.g. distance learning) for students, in order to smoothly connect to the curriculum and protect the rights of students.Taiwan extends Level 2 COVID-19 alert, eases more restrictions
Taiwan's Level 2 COVID-19 alert will be extended to Sept. 6, but more government restrictions will be relaxed, starting next Tuesday, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Saturday. At a CECC press briefing, Health and Welfare Minister Chen Shih-chung said the current alert, which was due to expire on 23 August, will be pushed back for at least another two weeks, because Taiwan still has some domestic COVID-19 cases with unknown sources of infection. Chen, who heads the CECC, also warned that the Level 2 alert may remain in place until the end of the year, if the global COVID-19 outbreak is not brought under control.Taiwan allows entry of foreign professors, scholars
Foreign professors, researchers and scholars recruited by universities in Taiwan and the government are now being allowed to enter, according to the Ministry of Education (MOE). Taiwan opened its borders to those groups of foreign nationals on Tuesday, ahead of the start of the new school year in September, the MOE said in a statement Monday.Masks mandatory for students in Taipei once school begins
Students in Taipei’s kindergarten, elementary, junior high, and senior high schools will be required to mask up when the new semester begins on 1 September if the Level 2 COVID-19 curbs remain in place. Deputy Taipei Mayor Tsai Ping-kun announced Monday (16 August) that pupils should wear masks during classes after the summer break, the longest ever due to the pandemic, ends this month. Exceptions are only allowed during meals, but with partitions installed, wrote the Liberty Times.
Travel Restrictions in summary
All foreign nationals except for those who hold Alien Resident Certificates (ARCs), documents proving they are in Taiwan for diplomatic or official purposes or to fulfil business contracts, or special entry permits are prohibited from entering Taiwan.
For the latest updates on Taiwan’s entry requirements, please monitor the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control website and the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bureau of Consular Affairs website.
Sources:
https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202105180012
https://www.roc-taiwan.org/uk/index.html
https://english.moe.gov.tw/lp-117-1.html
British Council Activities
British Council staff work mostly from home, all classes at the Teaching Centre are now moving to online course, IELTS exams continue running followed by the country’s regulations.
Thailand
Updated 23 August
From 1 July, those who travel to Thailand by airlines must book their stay at Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) hotels at their own expense. ASQ is currently 15 nights.
Those who travel to Phuket may be exempt from quarantine but must stay in Phuket for at least seven nights before travelling to other ‘Sandbox’ areas, e.g. Khao Lak, Phi Phi Island and Samui, or 14 nights before travelling to other parts of Thailand. More information about travelling to Thailand: https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/requirements-for-foreigners-travelling-to-thailand-during-covid-19-tra?page=5d6636cd15e39c3bd00072dd&menu=5f4b6eb3f6ae4b236972c562
From 3 August, the new Covid-19 maximum and strict controlled areas cover 29 provinces in Thailand, including for example Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Chonburi, Ayutthaya, Songkhla, and Nakhon Ratchasima.
The VFS Visa Application Centres in Bangkok and Chiang Mai are open, operating on reduced hours, with social distancing measures in place. More information: https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/th/en/news/information-about-the-uk-visa-application-centres-in-thailand
Schools, universities and public events
Schools have opened since 14 June but on-site teaching is not allowed for schools in maximum and strict controlled areas.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation announced on 29 June that universities in provinces in maximum and strict controlled areas continue to adopt online teaching. Universities in other provinces may resume onsite activities with Covid-19 control measures.
From 20 July, people in maximum and strict controlled areas are not allowed to go out during 21.00-04.00. Gatherings of more than 5 people are prohibited, and the government asked everyone to work from home 100% when possible.
Wearing a mask when leaving home is compulsory.
British Council’s operation
Our teaching centres offer online English courses for adults and young learners, and will continue to do so until the government lifts the classroom learning ban.
Examination schedule is subject to change as appropriate with necessary measures in place.
For more information please visit https://www.britishcouncil.or.th/en/about/notice
The International Education Services Team is still in operation and will be able to help give advice and respond to queries from UK institutions, agents, and stakeholders.
Vietnam
Updated: 25 August
Since the new wave on April 27, Vietnam has registered 377,246 community transmissions in 62 cities and provinces. HCMC continues to be the Covid epicentre. Directive 16 has been extended until 15 September with the announcement that the authorities will enforce a stricter lockdown/ social distancing from Monday 23 August
In Hanoi, the Directive 16 will be extended until 6 September. Currently, the measures remain as before.
The Hanoi People’s Committee issued official document 2681/UBND-KGVX reducing the centrally quarantined period to seven days for those meeting the required conditions.
Vietnam has cut the centralized quarantine period for fully vaccinated foreign arrivals to 7 days from the previous 14. Arrivals must also test negative for the virus within 72 hours before arrival and would then be required to self-monitor for another 7 days after the quarantine period.
Travel restrictions:
In light of the recent COVID-19 outbreak, Vietnam has imposed several travel restrictions on those entering the country.
Vietnam has suspended the entry of all foreigners since March 22, 2020, until further notice to limit the spread of COVID-19. The measure will not apply to diplomats, officials, foreign investors, experts, and skilled workers.
Flag carrier Vietnam Airlines resumed some international flights connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with South Korea, Japan, and Australia from April 3, and Ho Chi Minh City with the UK, Germany and Thailand also, as announced on July 12. Low-cost carrier VietJet has also resumed services including to Taiwan and Thailand. However, only repatriated approved Vietnamese citizens and approved foreign experts will be allowed to enter Vietnam.
Under Directive 15 and 16, all passengers boarding flights to and from HCMC is required to present negative test results against Covid-19. Flights to and from areas applying Directive 15 and 16 is either banned or strictly restricted. Inbound travelling is drastically minimised.
Public means of transportation are either banned in areas applying Directive 16, or minimised in areas applying Directive 15. The same goes to transportation and delivery services.
People travelling to and from high-risk areas must make health declarations and sign a commitment to follow Covid-19 prevention guidelines with the authorities, including quarantining or self-isolation if required.
Schools, universities and public events
Around two million students in Hanoi are expected to resume school on 1 September.
Ho Chi Minh City plans to reopen schools in mid-September, two weeks later than the rest of the country, and start with online classes.
The authorities ban all face to face activities having more than 5 people gathering. Events such as funerals cannot have over 30 people and will be supervised strictly by health officials.
HCMC and various southern areas are to comply with Directive 16, with strict social distancing measures. Staying at home is obligatory, unless there are cases or emergency or dire necessary. All non-essential businesses are ordered closed, office and agency workers are to work remotely entirely, and people working in essential businesses are required to adhere to strict procedures. The authorities ban all face to face activities having more than 2 people gathering.
People are required to strictly apply the official 5K measures (5K means "Khau trang" (face mask) - "Khu khuan" (disinfection) - "Khoang cach" (distance) - "Khong tu tap" (no gathering) - "Khai bao y te" (health declaration)). In necessary interactions, a minimum distance of 2m between people is required.
British Council’s operation:
Our English classes in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city are being delivered online.
Exams services in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city is temporarily suspended until further notice. All British Council Vietnam personnel is required to work from home, unless necessary.
In the meantime, mental health aiding measures are adopted to assist employees in remote working. A technical transformation program is also in effect, which is expected to improve collaboration and working efficiency across digital platforms.
Source:
Vietnam cuts quarantine time for vaccinated entrants, 4 Aug
Contact: BCEducationServices@britishcouncil.org