Customs officials at border gate and the work of corona prevention

Faced with the spread of an acute respiratory infection caused by 2019-nCoV in China at an alarming level, local customs units, especially northern customs units managing areas having a border with China, have still arranged customs officials to work at the border gates to handle professional missions.

However, to ensure absolute safety for officials and employees working at the border gates, local customs units have implemented drastic measures to prevent corona.

Customs officials of Huu Nghi Customs Branch (Lang Son Customs Department) complied with all measures to prevent corona. Photo: Nga Thu

To promptly equip tools and vehicles for customs offcials at border gates for ensuring effective prevention and control of the corona epidemic, the General Department of Vietnam Customs has requested the head of the provincial Customs Departments contact local competent authorities to identify the category of tools and vehicles necessary to equip for border-gate customs officials to ensure the prevention and control of corona. The General Department of Vietnam Customs also asked local customs units to use funding provided by the General Department of Vietnam Customs to carry out the above procurement.

As recorded by reporters at the border gates in the management area, Lang Son Customs Department has requested customs officials and workers raise awareness and responsibility when facing the complicated situation of corona virus. At the same time, customs officials need to follow medical measures to protect their health, prevent infection (wearing masks, disinfecting with medical alcohol, as well as measuring body temperature at the beginning of the day and the end of a working day).

At Quang Ninh Customs Department, this unit has requested Customs branches direct customs officials and employees raise awareness and responsibility when facing the complicated situation of corona virus.

Implementing the directives of the Minister of Finance and the leaders of the General Department of Vietnam Customs, Hai Phong Customs Department has also directed units to implement measures to prevent and control the corona epidemic. Accordingly, the units have equipped masks in accordance with regulations for customs officials, and at the same time posted recommendations and measures to prevent and fight corona for people living in locations carrying out customs procedures and places in contact with people and enterprises, especially at the border gate customs branches.

Da Nang Customs Department has instructed the units to implement the contents of Directive No. 05/CT-TTg dated January 28, 2020 of the Prime Minister and Directive No. 01/CT-BTC dated January 28, 2020 of the Ministry of Finance on strengthening prevention and control of acute respiratory infections caused by 2019-nCoV.

Accordingly, at Da Nang International Airport, the Da Nang International Airport Customs Branch has been coordinating with units at the International Terminal to implement prevention and control of corona epidemic in settling customs procedures for passengers on exit and entry, strictly complied with the directives of the Prime Minister and ministries and sectors.

In the spirit of prevention and control of corona epidemic, on January 30, the Youth Union of Lao Bao Customs Branch (Quang Tri Customs Department) issued leaflets "Recommendations of the Ministry of Health on prevention and control of acute respiratory diseases caused by 2019-nCoV” and medical masks for drivers of vehicles and passengers on exit and entry to disseminate prevention and control measures for individuals and communities. This activity will be carried out regularly by the Youth Union until the disease is controlled.

Reporters of Customs News have recorded some images of customs officials at border gates and the prevention of corona virus:

Until now, most border gate in Lang Son area were quite deserted, no trading activities happend like before. Photo: Long Hai

At the Coc Nam - Lang Son border gate, the Chinese side was almost closed. Photo: Long Hai

The entry procedure desk at Huu Nghi border gate is empty. Photo: Nga Thu

Customs officials of Hai Phong port area 3 customs branch have proactively prevented corona.

Customs officials and enterprises all strictly follow measures to prevent and control corona such as wearing masks. In the photo: Professional activities at the Hai Phong port area 2 Customs Branch.

Customs declarants wore masks when coming to carry out procedures at the Hai Phong port area 2 Customs Branch.

Lao Bao-Quang Tri Customs Force distributed masks and leaflets to drivers.