Ha Tinh removes the requirement for a negative test certificate for people who have received 2 doses of vaccine from Nghe An.

On October 12, people traveling from Nghe An to Ha Tinh, when crossing Ben Thuy 1 bridge, in addition to making the usual health declaration, were asked by the authorities on duty at the checkpoints how many doses of Covid-19 vaccine they had received. In case the second dose was administered more than 14 days ago, people were allowed to cross without needing a valid negative Covid-19 test certificate.

In Xuan An town (Nghi Xuan), there are 4 checkpoints to control people from Nghe An province to Ha Tinh. Photo: Tien Hung

However, people passing through Ben Thuy 1 bridge must get off the vehicle and go to the checkpoint to make a health declaration.

People passing by must get out of their vehicles to declare and present their statements. Photo: Tien Hung

Also stationed at Ben Thuy 1 and Ben Thuy 2 bridges, but unlike the checkpoints north of the bridge in Nghe An province, the checkpoint in Ha Tinh province strictly controls people passing through. Specifically, for nearly a month now, all people, regardless of where they live or whether they have been vaccinated against Covid-19 or not, from Nghe An to Ha Tinh, when arriving at the checkpoints, must have a negative Covid-19 test certificate within 72 hours. Those who have been there for more than 1 hour are forced to return to Vinh City for testing.

This request has caused many people to complain because it is both inconvenient and costly. Especially for thousands of people who travel between Vinh City and Nghi Xuan District to work every day. Meanwhile, medical stations in Nghi Xuan District are also often crowded with people coming to do rapid tests.

"Not only is it expensive, but it's also very annoying and time-consuming. Every 3 days I have to get tested once, which costs 150,000 VND. Not to mention the waiting time. Even though I have all the required documents, I still have to get off the bus and go to a roadside area to present them, even though it's raining heavily. It's really tiring," said a teacher with an address in Vinh City but teaching in Nghi Xuan District who has been fully vaccinated with 2 doses.

Meanwhile, Nghe An's checkpoints at Ben Thuy 1 and Ben Thuy 2 bridges have different regulations. Immediately after the epidemic was basically controlled, Vinh City and other localities changed their status to follow Directive 15. For Ha Tinh and Nghe An residents, the checkpoints seemed to allow free entry and exit without a test certificate.

In recent days, when the number of workers from the southern provinces increased, these checkpoints have tightened control. Accordingly, all people passing through must have a valid negative Covid-19 test certificate. Except for those who have received 2 doses of Covid-19 vaccine.

Car drivers passing through the checkpoint at Ben Thuy 1 Bridge do not have to get out of their cars to present their papers like at the checkpoints in Ha Tinh. Photo: Tien Hung

Another difference between the checkpoints in Nghe An and Ha Tinh is that when people drive through the checkpoint of Ben Thuy 1 bridge, they do not need to get out of the car, but just need to sit in the car and show the necessary documents to the task force. Meanwhile, the checkpoints in Ha Tinh still require all vehicles to stop and then go to a centralized point to declare./.