People passing by 62 booths for COVID-19 prevention and control in HCM City have their temperatures checked. — VNA/VNS Photo Thành CHUNG

HCM CITY— HCM City health officials on April 4 began taking testing samples for SARS-CoV-2 from passengers at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport’s domestic terminals and at Sài Gòn Railway Station, according to the city's Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.   

On April 4, samples were taken from 173 passengers, Dr Nguyễn Trí Dũng said. 

Health declarations and the body temperature of passengers are also taken. 

From April 6 to 15, Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 aircraft flying to HCM City will transport no more than 180 passengers each, while there will be a maximum of 120 on each Airbus A321 aircraft, according to Vietnam Airlines. 

The regulation on the number of passengers was released by the Civil Aviation Authority of Việt Nam for several reasons, including limiting the number of people who must be tested. If the number exceeds testing capacity, the passengers will be quarantined at first and tested later.

From April 7 to 15, only one flight from Hà Nội to HCM City will operate each day, while there will be three flights for the Hà Nội-Đà Nẵng and HCM City- Đà Nẵng routes each week.

On April 5, teams of police, military forces, health officials and traffic inspectors began manning 62 booths for COVID-19 prevention and control in the city.

Temperatures are taken of anyone who passes by the booths. If their temperature is more than 38 degrees Celsius, they will be taken inside the booth where they will be checked further and will have to declare their health status.

As of April 6, the city has had 53 COVID-19 patients. Of these, 22 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals.

Of the 241 COVID-19 cases in the country, case No. 91 needed a ventilator, but the others were treated and are in stable condition.

On April 5, two people in HCM City were tested and are waiting for results. — VNS