Strengthen control and detection of illegal entry cases through trails and openings.

Implementing the direction of the Prime Minister in Directive No. 16/CT-TTg dated March 31, 2020, the Provincial Border Guard Command advised the Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee to decide to temporarily suspend border crossing activities at the main Thanh Thuy border gate and 3 secondary border gates: Thong Thu, Tam Hop, Cao Veu from 0:00 on April 1, 2020 on the Vietnam - Laos border to strengthen prevention and control of Covid-19 epidemic.

Previously, according to the announcement of the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from 0:00 on March 30, 2020, the Lao Government stopped entry and exit at all border gates, requiring Vietnamese people who need to return home to work with the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Vietnamese Embassy.

Thong Thu Border Guard Station's checkpoint to detect illegal entry cases. Photo: Thanh Cuong

However, in the three Lao provinces bordering Nghe An, there are no diplomatic missions to carry out the above procedures. Therefore, many people have illegally entered Vietnam through secondary border gates, openings, and border trails, affecting border management, protection, and disease prevention and control in Nghe An.

During the border patrol and control process, Border Guard units promptly detected and quarantined 31 cases of illegal entry through trails and openings on the border. Of these, Nhon Mai Border Guard Station detected 7 cases, Thong Thu Border Guard Station detected 8 cases and Keng Du Border Guard Station detected 16 cases.

To proactively prevent and combat illegal border crossings and prevent the spread of Covid-19, Lieutenant Colonel Ho Quyet Thang - Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of Nghe An Border Guard said: Nghe An Border Guard Command has deployed to all Border Guard officers and soldiers in the whole province on the task of preventing and combating Covid-19.

Specifically, assign comrades in the Standing Committee and Command to directly direct border lines on Covid-19 prevention and control work..Establish a shortened forward command post under the direct command of a Deputy Commander. Strengthen forces from coastal units, Command headquarters, and Training and Mobility Battalions for mountain units.

Officers and soldiers of Nam Can Border Guard Station patrol and control to prevent illegal entry. Photo: Thanh Cuong

In addition, direct local staff units and competent agencies to arrange forces to coordinate with the Border Guard to participate in performing tasks at stations, teams, and posts on the border. Mobile forces on duty at the Command headquarters: 50 comrades, taking the number of troops from departments, offices, and the Command Office to be ready to respond when situations arise.

Currently, on the 468.281 km long border adjacent to 3 provinces of Laos, Border Guard units have established 66 border checkpoints, including 55 fixed checkpoints and 11 mobile checkpoints. The participating troops are 524 comrades, ready to be on duty 24/7 to ensure strict border inspection and control to prevent people from illegally crossing the border, avoiding medical declarations, and avoiding quarantine to prevent and fight the epidemic.

At Nam Can International Border Gate, Vietnamese people returning to Vietnam from 0:00 on April 2nd are requested to exchange the approved list between the Vietnamese Embassy and the Lao Embassy to complete entry procedures.

Since March 23, the forces on duty at the border gate have completed entry procedures and coordinated the transfer of 1,550 people and 97 vehicles to centralized quarantine centers.

People are still allowed to enter through Nam Can International Border Gate but must report to the authorities of Laos and Vietnam. Photo: Thanh Cuong

In the coming time, the Covid-19 epidemic is still complicated. To ensure that the epidemic prevention and control work is well implemented, the Nghe An Border Guard Command has organized working delegations led by the Command's leaders to directly inspect the localities and checkpoints on the border, and at the same time directed the units to overcome difficulties, continue to thoroughly grasp and strictly implement the directives of the superiors. The checkpoints effectively maintain patrol and blockade work on the border area, and at the same time pay attention to and take care of the lives of officers and soldiers to be ready to carry out the task of preventing and controlling the Covid-19 epidemic./.