Border defense soldiers in Ha Giang province tell an ethnic woman to wear a mask and be aware of COVID-19. (Photo: anninhthudo.vn)

The Border Defense High Command has asked provincial border defense forces to work with administrative agencies to quarantine people, animals, and plants entering Vietnam.

The border defense force of Kon Tum province has stepped up patrols along Vietnam’s 292 km border with Laos and Cambodia. At Bo Y International Airport, the border guard and the local health sector have sprayed disinfectants and checked the temperature of people leaving or entering Vietnam.

Colonel Tran Thanh Hai, Deputy Commander of Kon Tum province’s Border Defense Force, said: “All units along the border have increased patrols to prevent unauthorized entries and exits. All persons entering without prior authorization will be quarantined for medical observation. We are working with border economic zones and medical centers to distribute leaflets about COVID-19. We give face masks to people at the border gate. There are two quarantine rooms at the border gate for suspected cases.”

Ha Giang province has 300 km of border with China. The provincial border defense forces have built 38 camps to contain people crossing the border and 2 mobile teams in key areas. The soldiers have communicated with border residents to raise their awareness on protecting themselves against the epidemic.

Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant-General Tran Don said that besides combating COVID-19, the border defense force has to enforce custom clearance on exported and imported goods. He said: “The Border Defense High Command has to work with other forces to manage entry and exit through border gates and goods export and import. While managing the epidemic, we have to also focus on economic issues, particularly efficient customs clearance.”