Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam chairs a meeting of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, May 4, 2021. (Photo: VNA)

Electronic tagging can be used to monitor foreign experts upon their arrival and during their centralized quarantine and self-isolation periods, according to a Committee meeting on Tuesday. 

The Committee said that the ongoing community outbreak in which some people have been found with COVID-19 and transmitted the novel coronavirus to others has showed loose medical supervision on those who have completed centralized quarantine.

Vietnam has so far requested all arrivals to stay in centralized facilities for 14 days. But over the past week, a migrant worker from Japan and a group of Chinese experts have been diagnosed with COVID-19 after completing their two-week centralized quarantine.

The Health Ministry has said that starting Tuesday, individuals who have completed the mandated 14-day quarantine will not be released immediately. But it did not specify the duration of extension yet.

“Local authorities including police officers and medical workers must escort those who complete mandatory quarantine to their places of residence and fully inform them of what they should do during the next 14 days,” said Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, who also heads the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

Businesses that invite foreign experts must ensure that these experts strictly follow epidemic prevention regulations, he said.   

Mr. Dam said though complicated, the COVID-19 pandemic has been basically under control in Vietnam, but more drastic actions are needed.

He said the current outbreak is different from the previous ones due to pressure from the southwestern border and quicker spread of new variants.

He reiterated the need to prepare for a scenario of having 30,000 infections, adding that all must strive to not let it happen.