The Ministry of Transport has agreed to suspend passenger flights to Buon Ma Thuot from HCM City from August 8 to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The People's Committee of Dak Lak Province, of which Buon Ma Thuot is the capital, had on August 1 urged the ministry to stop flights from HCM City, which has been the epicentre of the outbreak.

It said the risk of a COVID outbreak in Dak Lak was very high, and it had already had 225 infections, mostly brought by people coming from HCM City and south-eastern provinces.

The Ministry of Transport has instructed the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam to promptly inform airlines and relevant agencies about the suspension.

Special flights carrying medical staff and supplies will be considered for exemption.

Hai Phong City and the eight provinces of Quang Ninh, Quang Binh, Gia Lai, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam, and Nghe An have so far stopped flights to HCM City. — VNS