NDO/VNA - Domestic flights began to officially resume on October 1 under a four-phase plan outlined by the Ministry of Transport, which is applied in localities with relaxed COVID-19 prevention and control measures.

In the first phase, to be carried within 10 days, airlines would resume air routes with a flight frequency not exceeding half that in the first 10 days of April, the time before the fourth coronavirus wave broke out in Vietnam. Seats on the planes must be distanced as well

In the second phase, to last for no more than 10 days, the frequency would be increased to not exceed 70%. No seat distancing is required.

The third phase would see the flight frequency return to the level as seen in the first 10 days of April (but not exceeding it), with no seat distancing required.

The final phase would see airlines resume activities as normal.

Air routes that had only one flight a day even pre-pandemic can resume operations as normal in the first and second phases, with seat distancing required.

Passengers must follow the “5K message”, make health declaration, and present a negative COVID-19 test result issued within 72 hours before departure.

However, the passengers who got the first shot three weeks ago, or those who were fully vaccinated or recovered from the disease within six months are exempt from COVID-19 testing.

The Ministry of Transport requested airlines to offer hand sanitisers to passengers, ask them to wear masks during the flight, and disinfect high-contact surfaces of planes such as door handles and seats after each flight.