VN reports zero community transmission of COVID-19 over last 70 days

The country reported 352 COVID-19 patients, as of 6 am on Thursday, of whom 212 are imported cases immediately quarantined upon arrival. 

Of the patient tally, 329 have been cleared of the virus while three of the rest have tested negative twice, said the National Steering Committee.

Currently, 9,437 people, who have close contact with COVID-19 patients or travel record to pandemic-hit areas, are now under medical surveillance, including 86 at hospitals, 8,506 at centralized quarantine camps and 845 at places of residence.

As the pandemic has been brought under control, the Government tasked competent authorities to increase frequency of flights to bring home citizens stranded abroad.

Official data showed that 29 repatriation flights have been arranged since April 24, with about 7,672 passengers from foreign countries and territories.

The Government also decided to open borders to foreign experts, skilled laborers and investors as part of its measures to reboot the economy in a "new normal" situation.

At a meeting Wednesday, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc reaffirmed the guiding viewpoint of fending off the second COVID-19 wave in order to pursue the dual goal of the pandemic containment and economic recovery./.

By Khanh Phuong