Vietnam to reopen interprovincial bus services

The pilot resumption scheme will be conducted from October 13-20, with the aim to gradually restore inter-provincial passenger road transport activities amid pandemic situation, serving travel demand and promoting economic recovery.

In the period, a service supplier can operate between 5 percent to 30 percent of the total number of trips in normal conditions during seven days, with middle seats between passengers kept empty.

Passengers from low-risk areas travelling to similar zones will see transportation resume with no restrictions.

However, people from high-risk areas must either be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have recovered from the disease within the last six months, and test negative for the coronavirus at least 72 hours prior, while implementing the Ministry of Health’s 5K message.

At the same time, drivers and staff on the vehicles must also meet similar requirements.

The Ministry of Transport asked localities to strictly manage, monitor and examine people returning from other localities in line with the Ministry of Health’s regulations, to prevent the spreading of COVID-19 in the community.

For other forms of road passenger transport and the transport of passengers from/to airports and railway stations, the ministry asked the Departments of Transport in localities to give advice to the provincial People’s Committees on suitable plans in line with the ministry’s instructions in the field.

On the same day, an official dispatch signed by Deputy PM Le Van Thanh on behalf of the PM on October 10 asked leaders of ministries, ministry-level agencies, Government agencies, steering committees for COVID-19 prevention and control, and provincial-level People’s Committees to ensure safe and flexible organisation of passenger transport alongside effective control of COVID-19.