A group of Vietnamese labourers waiting to process entry procedures at Incheon International Airport in the RoK. (Photo: VNA)   

NDO/VNA – Many Korean people have expressed their opinions on the website of the Presidential Palace of the Republic of Korea (RoK), showing disappointment at the country’s removal of Vietnam out of the list of countries eligible for COVID-19 quarantine exemption.

Despite the high case number, the fatalities and critical cases in Vietnam is very low while the rate of people getting booster shots against COVID-19 in Vietnam is very high, an opinion on the website wrote, adding the country is considering the injection of the fourth COVID-19 doses and, therefore, the pandemic control measures against travelers from Vietnam should be reconsidered.

On March 18, the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) decided to list Vietnam among the countries subjected for strengthened medical supervision as part of its measures to fight the pandemic.

Accordingly, from April 1, travelers from Vietnam, vaccinated against COVID-19 or not, will have to take mandatory seven-day quarantine. Flights from Vietnam to the RoK will be allowed to carry passengers equivalent to only 60 percent of their capacity.

Vietnamese Tourism Ambassador to the Republic of Korea (RoK) Ly Xuong Can said that in recent years, the Korean community in Vietnam has faced many difficulties due to COVID-19 prevention and control regulations which prevented them from returning to their country. The 200,000-strong community was delighted at the RoK’s removal of the seven-day quarantine policy on arrivals from Vietnam from March 21.

However, the KDCA’s recent decision means travelers from Vietnam will not be able to enjoy the quarantine exemption policy, is likely to make it difficult for Koreans to implement their business and production plans and conduct other activities, said the ambassador.