As illegal entry and exit is a threat to the prevention and control of the Covid-19 pandemic, border soldiers across Vietnam are making efforts to prevent illegal entrance, especially before the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.

With a 277km border with China, the northern province of Ha Giang sees the most illegal entry and exit in the country.

Ha Giang Province Border Guard official Colonel Luu Duc Hung said Covid-19 prevention work would be harder prior to Tet because illegal immigrants tend to increase.

Border guards have strengthened inspections and maintained 59 checkpoints and 17 mobile teams comprising 425 staff to work around the clock.

Campaigns have been launched to encourage people to comply with the government’s regulations on Covid-19 prevention.

Head of Xin Cai Border Guard Station in Meo Vac district Ta Tan Hoang said they have handled 840 unlawful immigrant cases involving 6,746 people since the outbreak of Covid-19.

It is likely that there will be an increase in illegal immigration from China to Vietnam for the Tet holiday, he said.

Major Mua Mi Cay, a political officer at the station, said despite facing hardships and poor living conditions, soldiers on the front lines always showed strong determination and will only return home after the pandemic ends.

“All officers and soldiers of the station have decided to stay at the station during the Tet holidays,” he was quoted by Nhan dan (People) newspaper as saying.

Prevention measures against Covid-19 are also being deployed in the northern province of Cao Bang.

Colonel Luc Van Tiep from Cao Bang Border Guard Command said border guards in coordination with local authorities have tightened control over immigration.

Local residents are encouraged to inform border guards as soon as they detected illegal migrants or individuals involved in unlawful immigrant activities.

Border guards in the province said they have prevented about 8,300 illegal immigrants since the beginning of the year. Criminal proceedings have been initiated against 36 people who arranged for people enter the country illegally.

The northern province of Quang Ninh is also reportedly taking action against illegal immigration.

Mong Cai City Police head Le Hong Van told Vietnam News Agency that in addition to setting up 39 stations at important positions, the city has implemented disease prevention measures on the basis of promoting the role and responsibility of the party committee, residential groups, commune police, self-governing groups in villages and neighbourhoods.

Last year, local police handled 207 cases involving foreigners, including many cases related to illegal entry and residence, he said.

The People’s Committee of the southeastern province of Binh Phuoc, which has more than 260km of border with Cambodia, has ordered relevant agencies to tighten management along the border as one of the important tasks in Covid-19 prevention and control efforts.

The province has kept 62 stations and 11 mobile Covid-19 control stations open 24 hours a day.

Mekong Delta provinces of Dong Thap, An Giang, Kien Giang and Vinh Long which share a border with Cambodia have simultaneously tightened control of people moving across the border. More control stations have been established to prevent illegal entry.

With a 50.5km long borderline with Cambodia, border guards, police and militia in Dong Thap province have been present at 14 checkpoints to do their duties.

VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK