Vietnamese citizens queue to check-in at Sydney Airport in Australia before flying home on September 4. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Minh

HÀ NỘI — Close to 1,000 Vietnamese citizens were safely flown home on repatriation flights on September 4 and September 5.

Specifically, on September 4, nearly 350 Vietnamese people were repatriated from Australia and New Zealand on a flight which was conducted under a joint effort of national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, Vietnamese authorities, representative missions of Việt Nam in Australia and New Zealand and the two countries' authorities. 

The passengers included children aged under 18, the elderly, people with sickness, workers whose visas or labour contracts expired, students with no residences due to dormitory closures and those in extremely difficult circumstances.

Given that travel restrictions continue to be in place in Australia and New Zealand in response to COVID-19, Vietnamese missions in the two countries have worked with local authorities to facilitate travel of Vietnamese expats to pickup points at airports in Sydney and Melbourne (Australia).

Vietnamese diplomats were also sent there to assist the citizens with procedures until they boarded the flight.

Upon landing at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in HCM City, all the flight crew and passengers were given heath checkups and put into compulsory quarantine in accordance with regulations.

Meanwhile, on September 5, the repatriation flight from Singapore operated by Vietjet Air carried over 240 passengers, all of whom were in particularly disadvantaged circumstances, and 405 passengers were on the flight from the RoK, operated by national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines.

Upon the Vietjet flight’s arrival at Cần Thơ International Airport and the Vietnam Airlines flight’s arrival at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport, those on board received medical check-ups and were sent to concentrated quarantine sites in line with regulations.

Security, safety and hygiene measures were carried out throughout the flights to protect passengers’ health and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

More overseas Vietnamese with disadvantages are set to be brought home in the time ahead basing on their aspirations, the pandemic’s developments and local quarantine capacity. 

Also on September 5, as reported by the Treatment Sub-Committee of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Control and Prevention, 19 patients have been given all clear, including six patients at Đà Nẵng Lung Hospital, nine at Hòa Vang District Medical Centre and four at Quảng Nam Central General Hospital. The total recoveries in Việt Nam now reach 805. — VNS