Tourism activities to be fully resumed in localities with COVID-19 risk level 1 and 2

Tourism business establishments in localities with COVID-19 risk at level 1 and level 2 can resume tourism activities at 100% capacity.

On October 20, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued provisional guidance on the implementation of the Government’s Resolution No.128/NQ-CP on provisional regulations for safe andflexible adaptation to as well as effective control of COVID-19 in cultural, sports and tourism activities.

Under Resolution No.128, the four levels of pandemic risk are as follows: Level 1: low-risk (new normal) – labelled green; Level 2: medium-risk – labelled yellow; Level 3: high-risk – labelled orange; and Level 4: very high-risk – labelled red.

Based on the instructions from the Ministry of Health, cities and provinces are responsible for raising or lowering their COVID-19 risk levels. If they raise the pandemic assessment risk level, local authorities mustinform citizens and businesses at least 48 hours in advance.

Based on the pandemic situation and vaccination rate, localities can specify limits on the number of participants and scope of activities. Priority will be given to those who have received their full two doses of vaccine along withthose who have recovered from COVID-19.

Regarding localities with risk level 3, activities will be held with the participation of less than 25 people at tourist attractions and indoor gathering events. Tourist accommodation and food service establishments in tourism business establishments may operate at no more than 50% of their capacity at one time; means of transport for passengers may not use more than 50% of the seats; services with a high risk of infection such as discos, karaoke, massage, bars, internet, video games, hairdressing, spas, and other services will comply with regulations of the provincial and municipal People's Committees.

Tourist accommodation establishments that receive quarantined guests at the request of competent authorities must fully comply with the epidemic prevention and control requirements of local health authorities. Tourist accommodation establishments that are serving guests with over 50% capacity will not welcome new guests.

Regarding localities with risk level 4, activities will be held with the participation of less than 20 people at tourist attractions and indoor gathering events; tour programmes are not permitted. Tourist accommodation establishments that are serving guests with over 30% capacity will not welcome new guests.

One of the specific requirements for tourism businesses is to register and conduct a daily COVID-19 safety self-assessment at http://safe.tourism.com.vn to connect to the national COVID safety system.

Tourists using services and people coming to make contact and work with tourism businesses must comply with: the 5K message; prescribed medical declaration or QR code scanning; the provisions of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 prevention and control, the Ministry of Health, and the rules of tourism business establishments; and prescribed medical tests.