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: China restored classroom teaching at all levels for the fall semester.
Hong Kong: New travel restrictions for passengers flying from the UK – travellers is required to supply negative Covid-19 test result 72 hours prior to flight departure time.
Thailand: More groups of people are allowed to enter Thailand, including non-immigrant visa holders without a work permit with businesses in Thailand, holders of an APEC business travel card from low-risk countries and long-stay tourists. Every group will still have to observe a 14-day quarantine period.
China
Updated 7 October
China restored classroom teaching at all levels for the fall semester
By the end of September, according to China’s MoE, about 90 percent of students at primary schools, middle schools and universities across China -- 242 million students -- are now back on campus, marking the general restoration of on-campus teaching in China. Kindergarten, primary and secondary schools were expected to welcome students in staggered time slots from 15 August to 10 October, while universities were allowing students to return on different schedules from late August to early October.
While welcoming students back to the campuses, a number of universities have announced to shorten the holiday for the National Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival as students are encouraged not to leave the campus for nonessential travel to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As one of China's two "Golden Weeks", this year's National Day holiday runs from 1 to 8 October. Many universities across the country have followed suit to curtail the combined eight-day holiday and extend the winter vacation to make up for the shortened holiday. MoE also advised that students and faculty members are being encouraged not to leave the campus for nonessential travel and avoid mass gathering activities.
Also from 28 September, foreigners holding Chinese residence permits for the purposes of work, personal matters or family reunion are allowed to re-enter the country. People whose residence permits expired after 28 March may apply for new visas at Chinese embassies or consulates.
This is a change to the previous situation, where entry of foreign citizens was suspended in late March. However, international students, short-term visa holders (including academics teaching on a fly-in faculty basis) and people who were not previously resident in China are still not yet allowed to return to the country without special permission. Schools and universities may submit applications for key staff to return which are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Comment by British Council International Education Services
UK institutions working with Chinese partners or recruiting Chinese students should be aware of current study arrangements in the country. For TNE providers, close discussions with partners are encouraged to support preparations for reopening of campuses and continued delivery of short term solutions including online delivery where campuses remain closed.
Sources:
http://www.moe.gov.cn/fbh/live/2020/52320/sfcl/
http://www.china.org.cn/china/2020-09/22/content_76728966.htm
Hong Kong
Updated 5 October
Public Events and Social Distancing
In light of the improvement of the third wave of Covid-19 in HK, the government decided to relax some of its restrictions. However, mandatory mask-wearing, social distancing and public gathering regulations limited to four people in public and to-a-table in restaurants will continue until at least 08 October.
New travel restrictions for passengers flying from the UK
Effective from 01 October, travellers (including HK citizens) will be required to supply a negative Covid-19 test result 72 hours prior to flight departure time and a confirmation letter of hotel booking for 14-day self-quarantine before they would be allowed to enter HK. The expense will be at traveller’s costs.
Local Schools
All schools fully reopened from 29 September. Previously in-person lessons had been suspended in early September due to the 3rd wave of the pandemic.
In addition, the education officials have agreed to temporarily relax rules requiring international schools to have at least 70 per cent non-local students, as operators struggle to meet the target with more expatriate families leaving the city amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The new policy aims to maintain international curriculum schools’ stable development and the city’s status as a global financial and trading hub.
HKDSE Exam 2021
Hong Kong government has announced a decision to postpone next year’s Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) examinations by one month. The written exams are now scheduled to take place between 23 April and 17 May 2021 with candidates to receive their results on 21 July. The decision has been made due to concerns from students and teachers about grade attainment due to the suspension of face-to-face classes during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Oral tests for both English and Chinese language exams will be cancelled in order to minimise the risk of person to person infection. Other new changes such as school-based assessments for nine elective subjects (e.g. Chinese and English Literature, History) will be dropped and five subjects have been streamlined. A contingency plan was also revealed by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) should the situation worsen around the time of the new exam dates. If this were to happen, the exam dates would move to early June, with results being released on 31 August.
Local Universities
Local universities started the new academic year as planned but had been mostly delivering online teaching in September. With the current situation of Covid-19 being under control, many universities will be adapting a ‘hybrid’ mode (i.e. combination of online and face-to-face teaching) for its learning and teaching activities and plan to include more face-to-face activities should the circumstance allow. Meanwhile, non-local students who are unable to be physically present due to travel restrictions can continue studying digitally for the rest of the semester. More information on individual university’s special arrangements under Covid-19 will be available upon request.
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
HK residents and valid HK visa holders must be self-isolated for 14 days after returning home
Transit flight services at Hong Kong International Airport resumed from 01 June
Sources:
Parents relieved, children excited: Hong Kong schools fully reopen for first time after coronavirus lockdown , SCMP, 29.09.2020
Hong Kong to add Britain to high-risk coronavirus list, requiring travellers to have negative Covid-19 test before flying, spend two weeks in hotel room, SCMP, 24.09.2020
Hong Kong officials to relax cap on local students at international schools, citing pandemic-related spate of expat departures, SCMP, 18.09.2020
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202009/16/P2020091500937.htm ,HKGOV, 16.09.2020
HKDSE 2021: Written tests to be postponed to 23 April and oral tests to be cancelled, British Council, 02.09.2020
Centre for Health Protection (CHP), HKSAR
Macau
Updated 7 October
No major updates.
Contact: Anna Lee anna.lee@britishcouncil.org.hk or Karen Hsu karen.hsu@britishcouncil.org.hk
Indonesia
Updated 7 October
Governor of Jakarta has decided to re-introduce large scale social restrictions as the number of Covid-19 cases continue to rise. Jakarta has experienced and recorded an alarming rate of new COVID-19 clusters over the past weeks. Schools, offices and public places all will be closed – except for essential services.
Source:
Schools and Universities
The government plans to roll out a new education scheme that will simplify the curriculum and address existing hindrances to remote learning, which has been in place because of the COVID-19 crisis. The Education and Culture Minister has said that the streamlined scheme could entail the reallocation of school operational aid (BOS) to internet packages for students and teachers.
Sources:
State and private universities continue with classes either online or in person based on government directives.
Source:
Travel requirements
The Visa Application Centre in Jakarta is open from 16 September (in addition to the VACs at Bali and Surabaya). The VACs in Jakarta, Bali and Surabaya will operate under strict physical distancing measures and guidelines as per local authorities.
Source: https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/id/en/news/information-about-the-uk-vac-in-indonesia
The national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia plans to open direct flights to Denpasar, Bali, from the United States, France and India as part of initiatives to boost the country’s tourism that has been battered by the pandemic.
State-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura (AP) II plans to increase the number of available flight slots and normalize its operational hours in July, as it seeks to spur the recovery of the aviation industry that has been severely impacted by the ongoing health crisis.
There has been a significant increase in the number of passengers for domestic and international flights, after the government relaxed restrictions on air travel. A recently issued Transportation Ministry circular allowed an increase in the number of passengers to 70 percent of the aircraft capacity, up from the previous 50 percent.
Public events
Large scale public gatherings are not allowed.
British Council Activity
British Council staff continue to work from home.
Contact: Saman Imtiaz, saman.imtiaz@britishcouncil.org.my
Japan
Updated 5 October
Latest news
Across the country the cumulative totals now to 85,339 and the death toll stays as to 1,597. and we can see that the second wave which stroke Japan was declining but is now showing some raise although not serious at this time.
Go to Travel Campaign launched in July is a subsidy campaign for domestic tourist trips but at the time of launching the government made the decision to exclude travel to and from Tokyo and by residents of the capital in response to a spike in infections then. But reflecting the Tokyo Government’s decision of lowering the alert on September 10th, the Japanese Government announced on October 1 that Tokyo would also be included to the list for this Campaign.
As of August 26, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has additionally issued an infectious disease information level of Level 3 (travel advisory) to 13 countries on top of 146 countries and territories already issued around the world (travel advisory) and Level 2 (travel advisory) to all countries and territories, except for Level 3 countries and territories.
In light of this situation, the Ministry of Education (MEXT) strengthened their message towards Japanese students who have been planning to study abroad to reconsider their trip and not to go to countries and regions that have a level 3 infectious disease risk information, as well as to study in countries and regions that have a level 2 infectious disease risk information rating.
On 28th August 2020, the Government of Japan announced its decision that all foreign nationals with the status of residence who have left and will leave Japan before 31st August 2020 with a valid re-entry permit, are now eligible to re-enter Japan from 1st September 2020.
Public Events
Economic Revitalization Minister Nishimura announced on September 11th that Japan is preparing to relax restriction on attendance number of events.
From September 19th until end of November, the capacity ratio requirement will be relaxed to 100% for events with low risk of infection (such as classical music concerts, etc.). Other events (rock concerts, sporting events, etc.) should be limited to 50% or less including professional sport games. The maximum number of persons can exceed 5,000 but should not exceed 50% of the total number of persons permitted.
Stricter restrictions can be imposed by the prefectural governor, depending on the status of infection in the region. In addition, organizers of large-scale events (over 1,000 participants) should consult with each prefectural government in advance, and each prefectural government should make an appropriate decision on how to hold individual events, depending on the infection situation and the nature of the event
This will be reviewed again in December, based on the status of the infection and the implementation of the event.
Schools and Universities
The Ministry of Education (MEXT) announced on 21st July 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 out of the country. Most of the countries including UK, USA, Canada and even NZ are listed in Level 3, among the highest-ranking countries. The Japanese Universities are making their decision aligned to this Government’s announcement and all the official exchange programs are being pended. The official scholarships are also being pended and students who were to receive the government funded scholarships are kept waiting.
The above announcement was revised on 26th August and their message has been tightened. The students had been recommended strongly not to go study abroad at this moment.
On the other hand, the government has decided to ease restrictions on international students entering Japan by the end of the month. They are considering starting from accepting government-sponsored students, for whom the Japanese government provides tuition and other expenses, and then expanding it to include privately funded students depending on the situation.
British Council Activities
A Pre-Departure Information webinar was held in July to inform the Japanese students about current UK university status. We received attendees from all over Japan and there is still the same level of interest to UK as before Covid 19. But considering the government announcement, all the universities are postponing the exchange programs and it is very difficult for the students to realise their plan to study abroad.
Contact
Tomoko Kawakita, Head of Education, British Council Japan - tomoko.kawakita@britishcouncil.or.jp
Malaysia
Updated 7 October
Government Response
Malaysian government had announced that the Recovery Movement Control Order (previously scheduled to end on 31 August) is now extended till 31 Dec 2020. The Covid-19 situation in Malaysia till recently was quite well contained, but the country is experiencing an increase in cases at a fast pace. Malaysia recorded the highest daily increase since the start of the pandemic with more than 600 cases in a day on 6 October. The government has announced that it will impose targeted lockdowns in areas with major Covid-19 clusters and efforts are on to avoid a nationwide lockdown as a measure to avoid a negative impact on the economy.
Sources:
The government had earlier announced that visitors from countries with more than 150,000 Covid-19 cases will not be allowed to enter Malaysia – the list of countries announced includes UK.
Source:
Public Events
The restricted movement order remains in place for large-scale events. Health authorities in Malaysia have advised against organising major public events. There are strict measures and SOPs for visiting public places and include mandatory wearing of masks, temperature checks and contact tracing along with other measures.
Education
On 4 October, the Ministry of Higher Education announced that the physical registration of new students returning to campuses is to be postponed due to the rising Covid-19 cases. With more than 67000 students for the October intake, the Ministry is trying to avoid mass movement across states as an effort to contain the infections. Universities have been advised to conduct the registrations online, along with teaching and learning.
Source:
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2020/10/629528/mohe-no-option-prevent-mass-movement-students
The Immigration Department announced on 4 October that entry of existing and new international students to Malaysia is banned till 31 December 2020. This decision was taken in line with the Ministry of Higher Education’s decision to shift student registrations online and delay physical classes.
Source:
Travel Restrictions
The government had earlier stared that visitors from countries with more than 150,000 Covid-19 cases will not be allowed to enter Malaysia – the list of countries announced includes UK.
Source:
Returning Malaysians and non-citizens permitted to enter the country will undergo mandatory two-week quarantine at specified quarantine centres. The government has decided to revoke the allowance for those entering the country to self-quarantine at home.
Sources:
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/535396
British Council Activities
British Council staff are mostly working from home. The slight relaxation of the movement control order has allowed a few selected teams to be in the office with strict social distancing measures in place.
Contact: Saman Imtiaz, saman.imtiaz@britishcouncil.org.my
Singapore
Updated 7 October
Singapore has adopted a three-phased approach since emerging from the nation-wide circuit-breaker in June. Phase One featured resumption of selected services and the staggered re-opening of schools. Singapore is currently in Phase Two with all students attending daily face-to-face lessons. Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) have commenced the new academic year. Most businesses have resumed, although working from home is strongly encouraged wherever possible. All safe management practices remain in place. Phase Three measures are expected to be announced soon.
Source:
Travel advisory
The Ministry of Health has assessed that there are several countries/regions where the virus situation is well under control and the risk of importation is low. Border measures have been updated accordingly.
Travellers entering Singapore and who have remained in either Brunei Darussalam or New Zealand in the last consecutive 14 days prior to their entry will not be required to serve a Stay-Home-Notices (SHN). Instead, they will undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival at the airport and only be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore after receiving a negative test result. From 8 October onwards, Australia (excluding Victoria State) and Vietnam, will be added to this list.
Travellers from countries deemed as low-risk - Macao, Mainland China, Taiwan and Malaysia - will be required to serve a 7-day SHN instead of 14 days. The COVID-19 test will continue to be administered before the end of the 7-day SHN.
All other incoming travellers will continue to serve their 14-day SHN at dedicated SHN facilities, and will be subject to a test before the end of the SHN.
Source:
https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/updates-on-border-and-community-measures
Travel for studies
The advisory for students has been updated to allow travel for studies for students pursuing academic qualification overseas, and where distance-learning is not offered as an option by the education institution. Overseas studies should be of at least one academic year, for courses which require physical presence in the foreign educational institution, and which will lead to attainment of academic qualifications. Existing students who are completing such academic programs (i.e. balance duration of less than an academic year) are included. 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
From 19 September onwards, people arriving from Singapore to UK are exempted from the need to quarantine for two weeks.
Source:
Educational institutions
The six autonomous universities have commenced the 2020 academic year, with strict safe management measures in place:
Each person entering or leaving the campus is required to check in and out using SafeEntry, the national digital check-in system.
Temperature and symptom screening is carried out at all entrances.
The start and end timings for lessons are staggered.
In order to reduce inter-mingling between students on campus, students are required to remain in their practical or lab groups.
Staff and students are required to wear masks at all times.
Students are on campus primarily for practical and lab sessions, with a maximum of 50 persons per class.
All large-scale classes and lectures are held online.
Some faculties have opted for hybrid delivery models, with half the class attending in-person lessons while the other half concurrently goes online.
Source:
https://www.moe.gov.sg/faqs-covid-19-infection
The National University of Singapore (NUS) has implemented extensive safe management guidelines, with the campus divided into five zones. Students have been assigned an Activity Zone (based on their Faculty/School) and a Residential Zone (if they stay on-campus), and are not allowed to cross zones. Staff are also required to follow these zoning restrictions. Academic staff are permitted to use face shields instead of face masks when delivering lectures.
Source:
https://emergency.nus.edu.sg/advisory_specificgroups.html
The National University of Singapore (NUS) has announced plans to form a new college by merging two of its faculties: Arts and Social Sciences, and Science. The new interdisciplinary college, to be called the College of Humanities and Sciences, aims to equip students with market-relevant skills to thrive in the future economy. This move towards more interdisciplinary learning comes along with the Education Ministry's push in recent years for graduates to have core skills and knowledge, while remaining versatile and adaptable to future conditions. If current plans are approved, the new college could begin accepting students as soon as the next academic year which begins in August 2021.
Source:
This announcement complements earlier reports of interdisciplinary study options being made available to students in other Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) including the polytechnics. The move aims to stretch students’ versatility and boost graduate employability.
Source:
Source:
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
Contact: Saman Imtiaz, saman.imtiaz@britishcouncil.org.my
South Korea
Updated on 5 October
The country has another severe COVID-19 outbreak. The government has maintained the Level 2 Social Distancing Scheme across the nation during the biggest national holiday and will continue that until 11 October. Indoor meetings of more than 50 people and open-air gatherings of over 100 people are banned in principle. So-called risk-prone facilities, including clubs, PC cafes, and buffets, have been ordered to shut down.[1]
Schools
All schools and kindergartens in the capital area have reopened from 21 September, maintaining the attendance capped at 1/3 in elementary and middle schools and 2/3 in high schools. The attendance cap applies for all institutions across the nation for two weeks after the Korean Thanksgiving Holiday, from 28 Sep to 11 October.[2]
Higher Education
About 40% of universities have been providing remote classes since the government imposed the Level 2.5 Social Distancing Scheme at the beginning of the 2nd semester. Many of them are planning to gradually switch to a blended approach with more face-to-face classes after the Korean Thanksgiving Holiday.[3]
Sources:
KCDC (Korean government’s official website for Covid-19)
[1] New infection cases under 100 for 4th day; post-Chuseok virus fight in focus, Yonhap News, 4 October 2020
[2] Schools in greater Seoul area to reopen next week, Yonhap News, 15 September 2020
[3] 전면 비대면 수업 대학 64개교 감소, University News Network, 17 September 2020
Contact: Heather Eom sunhyun.eom@britishcouncil.org
Taiwan
Updated 29 September
Taiwan’s cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus upon 29 Sept leaving the total number of cases at 513 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 announces eight public venues where mask-wearing is compulsory
Most public large events like exhibition or show are currently open but various events and activities are requested to wearing the masks, and some will still maintain temperature measures and alcohol spraying when entering the venue.
Schools and Universities
The Central Epidemic Command Center announced since March that students and teachers at senior and junior high schools as well as elementary schools around Taiwan. Ministry of Education announced international students travel opens to the low risk countries.
The Ministry of Education Allows the Return of Graduating Students from Outside 19 Countries/Regions to the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Study from July 22
For information on the MoE of coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Taiwan, please visit the News Updates on Ministry of Education Taiwan website at https://english.moe.gov.tw/lp-117-1.html
Travel Restrictions in summary
Taiwan to allow foreign nationals to apply for non-tourist entry
All eligible passengers entering Taiwan must undergo 14 days of home quarantine
Beginning on June 29, Taiwan allows foreign nationals who wish to travel to Taiwan for reasons other than tourism to apply for a special entry permit with a Taiwan representative office overseas. British citizens in the UK may contact the Taipei Representative Office in London (TRO in London)
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.
Upon entry, Taiwan requires all foreign nationals to present an English-language certificate of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three working days of boarding the flight to Taiwan and undergo a 14-day home quarantine period. The following visitors may be exempted from negative COVID-19 test: personnel on diplomatic or official business, migrant workers, students, those coming to Taiwan for emergency situations, and crew members on vessels arriving in Taiwan. More information can be found here.
Passengers are allowed to transit through the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport with the following restrictions: 1) flights from and to China are excluded; 2) transit passengers must fly with China Airlines, EVA Air, or Cathay Pacific and must fly with the same carrier in and out of Taiwan; 3) transit passengers must leave Taiwan within eight hours. More information can be found here.
Any traveller arriving from outside Taiwan and granted entry are subject to a 14-day home quarantine. They will be required to complete a health declaration form and accurately provide their travel and contact history.
Short-term business travellers may apply for a shortened period of home quarantine. More information can be found here.
The Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced four automatic 30-day extensions, extending the total period of stay to a maximum of 180 days, for foreigners entering Taiwan on or before March 21 with visa waiver, visitor visa, or landing visa. No application is required. More information can be found here.
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://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-220-5691-aa1c3-2.html
https://www.roc-taiwan.org/uk/index.html
https://english.moe.gov.tw/lp-117-1.html
Contact: Diane Hsu, diane.hsu@britishcouncil.org.tw
Thailand
Updated 29 September
Thailand has extended an emergency decree imposed from 26 March to the end of October. The country is also planning to welcome more foreign nationals including business visitors who don’t have a work permit with businesses in Thailand, holders of an APEC Business Travel Card from low-risk countries, and long-stay tourists. Every group will still have to quarantine for 14 days.
On 4 September, Thailand reported the first case of locally transmitted case of Covid-19 in over 100 days. There have been no further report on wider spreading.
Schools, universities and public events
On 7 April 2020, with the approval from the cabinet, Ministry of Education announced schools in Thailand to defer the start of the first semester of academic year 2020 from 16 May to 1 July 2020. On 8 May, the Ministry announced that it plans for the first semester to be run on 1 July – 13 November 2020, and the second semester on 1 December 2020 – 9 April 2021. This will result in 17-day and 37-day school breaks, respectively.
1 July is the first date schools and universities are reopened. The situation is being closely monitored by the government to prevent the second wave of the outbreak.
According to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation's recent announcement on 12 August, universities are allowed to open for face-to-face teaching. However, some universities might offer blended learning. Activities that have many people gathering together, e.g. orientation, should still be avoided.
Key information including the term dates of key universities are on the IES site https://education-services.britishcouncil.org/news/market-news/east-asia-covid-19-update-%E2%80%93-26-june-2020
British Council’s operation
Face to face English classes have been resumed since 1 July 2020. The current situation for IELTS is that paper-based and computer-delivered tests are running as scheduled. We have re-designed our test layouts to ensure that test takers and staff maintain a one metre separation at all times. For more information please visit https://www.britishcouncil.or.th/en/exam/covid-19-updates
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.
Contact: Uraiwan Samolee, uraiwan.samolee@britishcouncil.or.th
Vietnam
Updated: 2 October
Vietnam has gone 29 days without domestic transmission of the novel coronavirus. It has so far recorded 1,095 Covid-19 infections, of which 39 are active cases
The government recently green-lighted the resumption of commercial flights to seven Asian destinations, including mainland China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand.
Travel restrictions:
Though the government allowed the resumption of some international commercial flights, foreign tourists have yet to be allowed back into the country. The only foreigners currently allowed entry are those carrying diplomatic or official passports, experts, managers, high-skilled workers, and investors, their family members, international students, and family members of Vietnamese citizens.
British Council’s operation: our activities are open to normal.
Our Study UK team organised an online pre-departure briefing for Vietnamese students on 25 August, with the attendance of more than 100 students and their parents. Please access this link if you want to watch the recorded webinar: https://youtu.be/wKG24URFt1Y.
British Council IELTS examination services have been resumed at almost all localities in Vietnam, except Danang city in the central of Vietnam as Danang was the hotspot of the second wave of Covid-19 recently.
Sources:
PM asks for vigilance against COVID-19, 27 Aug
Foreign arrivals required to register accommodation upon booking flights to Vietnam, 17 Sep
Health ministry updates protocols for priority COVID-19 testing, 28 Sep
Contact: Senior Education Services Manager, Lien Ta, lien.ta@britishcouncil.org.vn