Dear Agent
We hope this letter finds you well.
We appreciate the media is abound with updates on a rolling scale about the Coronavirus epidemic – COVID -19 sending in some cases unwarranted messages of fear and panic into the minds of potential travelers to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
To put things into perspective:
The global death rate is now around 1 per cent or less and it is mostly affecting the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions; anyone else would be unlucky to die from it.
The Coronavirus hysteria occurs because we confuse precaution with risk. We see Chinese cities being cut off, people being quarantined, factories closed, the streets emptying (except those wearing face masks) and we interpret this as a sign of grave and imminent danger. *If China had not taken such dramatic steps to stop the disease, we wouldn’t be half as worried.
Because China and Vietnam were quick to act to close boarders and continue to do so; Vietnam has reported only 16 cases and all have recovered. Cambodia has 2 cases. Laos 2 cases as of 4/3/20.
Please refer to latest update here https://www.aseanbriefing.com/news/coronavirus-asia-asean-live-updates-by-country/
In regard to travel disruption:
All flight changes, diversions, are being managed by your staff here at ITS Vietnam, and where possible are only affecting a few airlines who a routing through cities named as possible threats. ITS Vietnam Operations teams meet daily to discuss latest announcements from Airlines on changes so you can be sure you will be notified and arrangements for airport pick-ups amended.
To give you further confidence our Australian Manager arrived into Vietnam on 1st March via Vietnam Airlines flight and is currently travelling throughout Vietnam without any disruptions. Kerry tells us she is experiencing no problems in her accommodation and reports only the lack of tourists in the streets and at various major tourist attractions and restaurants etc arousing more fears around financial sustainability for businesses rather than a fear of contracting the flu virus.
Official Updates:
The update situation of Corona virus is here in this link
https://vietnam.travel/things-to-do/information-travellers-novel-coronavirus-vietnam
At the moment Vietnam advises travellers to exercise normal safety precaution list as of Australia, USA
https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations?title=Vietnam&field_overall_advice_level_target_id=All
As changes are announced daily we do suggest you inform clients who take flights to Vietnam, to check carefully the airlines and Immigration policy before checking into their flights.
At the moment countries such as Korea, China, Italy are nominated as high risk with Coronavirus so we would need to check, which gateways clients fly to / from Vietnam to advise you correctly as per the flight details.
https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/sg/media-centre/news-alert/?id=is5rire4
Since the start of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Vietnam has closely monitored the situation and installed a series of proactive, comprehensive measures to combat the spread of the virus within the country and prepare its public health services. Therefore, in country you can be confident the best of medical care is available.
ITS Vietnam is taking its own steps to manage traveller safety. All our office and ground staff have been fully trained and are versed in all the recommended safety measures. In addition, we are checking all eateries on our tours to ensure they are well informed and pay close attention to the cooking process and ingredients used.
We recognise that while the virus continues to plague our world, it is the fear that surrounds it that is becoming more alarming and which we wish to offer our advice and support through regular updates.
We are here to answer any queries you have, so please don’t hesitate to contact us.
We look forward to seeing you in Vietnam very soon.
Kind regards
Thuy Tran
CEO ITS Vietnam
Statistics on COVID-19 disease situation
Last updated at: 26/03/2020
| Total cases | 148 |
| Total recovered | 17 |
| Total active case | 131 |
| Total deaths | 0 |
Additional links for reference:
*https://beta.spectator.co.uk/article/The-most-dangerous-thing-about-coronavirus-is-the-hysteria