The Viettel squad has arrived in Thailand to prepare for their AFC Champions League fixtures. Photo courtesy of Viettel FC

HÀ NỘI — Due to the complicated COVID-19 situation in Thailand, Viettel FC's players and coaching staff must obey strict regulations on pandemic prevention during their time in the country for Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League matches in Bangkok.

When arriving in Thailand, all members of the travelling party must install the COSTE app from the Thai Department of Disease Control on their smartphone for daily temperature and symptoms reporting.

Time for outdoor activities is extremely limited, the team must follow all social distancing regulations, are not allowed to leave their hotel and must wear masks at all times except when training or playing.

They can only leave their rooms for scheduled activities including team meetings, medical care and AFC press conferences.

All activities will be monitored by local authorities through CCTV and those breaking regulations could be sanctioned under Thai law.

Swimming pools and gyms inside the hotel will also be closed.

After the matches, the teams are banned from shaking hands or exchanging shirts.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Group F will take place entirely in Bangkok where Viettel will face defending champions Ulsan Hyundai from South Korea on June 26 and July 8, the Thai League 1 champions BG Pathum on July 2 and 5, and Shanghai Port or Kaya FC from the Philippines on June 29 and July 11.

The AFC Cup, Asia's equivalent to the Europa League, is looking less certain to go ahead.

The AFC has not been able to find a place to host Group H of Sài Gòn FC after Singapore withdrew or Hà Nội FC's Group G despite the start date being scheduled for between June 29 and July 6.

On June 20, all the national team players tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 on their first test during the medical isolation period after returning from the UAE on June 17. — VNS