Công văn 7020/BYT-MT năm 2021 về cách ly phòng, chống dịch COVID-19 đối với trẻ em do Bộ Y tế ban hành

Covid-19 cases have been reported in most provinces in the country. Many children have to be quarantined, isolated and treated due to infection of SARS-COV-2 or having close contact with confirmed cases. Besides, some children entering Vietnam also have to be quarantined. In order to ensure safety and convenience of children during quarantine and treatment, the Ministry of Health hereby provides some guidelines for quarantine and isolation of children for Covid-19 control. To be specific:

1. The child’s parent/caregiver 1 may accompany the child to the health facility/Covid-19 treatment facility (hereinafter referred to as “health facility”) or centralized quarantine facility, or stay at home with the child (home quarantine) and shall make a commitment to voluntary stay in quarantine with the child and comply with regulations on Covid-19 prevention and control.

In case the parent/caregiver cannot accompany or stay with the child, local authorities shall assign a caregiver and/or assign a health worker in the health facility/quarantine facility or a volunteer to take care of the child. The assigned person shall have knowledge and skills in taking care of children and satisfy the conditions specified in Clause 2 Article 63 of Children Law No. 102/2016/QH13; maintain the child’s contact with his/her family in order to minimize his/her panic and anxiety.

2. For children under age 16 that are Vietnamese and have close contact with confirmed cases:

Quarantine at home for 14 days from the last day of having contact with the confirmed case; keep monitoring the child’s health for the next 14 days; take samples from the child and his/her parent/caregiver in accordance with regulations on home quarantine. Positive test results shall be handled as per regulations.

3. For children under age 18 that are foreigners, Vietnamese nationals residing overseas and entering Vietnam together with their parents/caregivers:

a) If the child and the parent/caregiver have received adequate Covid-19 vaccination shots or have recovered from Covid-19:

- Conditions: They have negative test results for SARS-CoV-2 (by RT-PCR/RT-LAMP test) within 72 hours before departure and are issued with certificates by a competent authority of the country in which the test is done; They have received adequate doses of Covid-19 vaccine (the last dose is given within the period of 14 days – 12 months before the date of arrival) and are issued with vaccination certifications; They used to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 and have recovered (having certificates of positive test result for SAR-COV-2 by one-step RT-PCR within 6 months before date of arrival and certificates of recovery from Covid-19 or equivalent certifications of recovery issued by competent authorities of the country in which they are treated).

- The child and his/her parent/caregiver shall stay at a centralized quarantine facility for 07 days from the date of arrival and self-monitor at home for the next 07 days according to Official Dispatch No. 6288/BYT-MT dated August 04, 2021 of the Ministry of Health.

b) If the child has not received any Covid-19 vaccine dose or has not received adequate Covid-19 vaccine doses:

- If the child’s parent/caregiver fully satisfies the conditions specified in Official Dispatch No. 6288/BYT-MT dated August 04, 2021 of the Ministry of Health, the child and his/her parent/caregiver shall stay at a centralized quarantine facility for 07 days from the date of arrival, home quarantine for the next 07 days and self-monitor until the end of 28-day period from the date of arrival. The child and his/her parent/caregiver shall be tested for SARS-CoV-2 on the 1st, 7th and 14th day from their arrival date. Positive test results shall be handled as per regulations.

- If the child’s parent/caregiver has not received any Covid-19 vaccine dose or has not received adequate Covid-19 vaccine doses, the child and his/her parent/caregiver shall stay at a centralized quarantine facility for 14 days from the date of arrival and self-monitor at home for the next 14 days. The child and his/her parent/caregiver shall be tested for SARS-CoV-2 on the 1st, 7th and 14th day from their arrival date. Positive test results shall be handled as per regulations.

4. For children under age 18 that are foreigners or Vietnamese nationals residing overseas whose parents/caregivers are in Vietnam: The child shall be quarantined at home with his/her parent/caregiver for 14 days from the date of arrival. Both the child and his/her parent/caregiver shall be tested for SARS-CoV-2 on the 1st and 14th day from the date of arrival. Positive test results shall be handled as per regulations.

5. If the child is taken to a health facility for isolation and treatment of Covid-19, his/her parent/caregiver may stay at the health facility to take care of the child and must sign a declaration that he/she voluntarily goes to the health facility after being given explanation about the risk of Covid-19 infection, and strictly comply with regulations on Covid-19 prevention and control in health facilities.

6. Home quarantine shall comply with Official Dispatch No. 5599/BYT-MT dated 14/7/2021 of the Ministry of Health. In case the house/lodging establishment is not qualified for home quarantine or not available, the local authority shall provide appropriate quarantine facilities for the children.

7. Centralized quarantine facilities shall monitor, assist in assurance of safety for children therein; Promptly provide information for child protection authorities (the police, labor, war invalid and social affairs authorities, the People’s Committees of communes) or call 111 to report issues relevant to children’s rights. Centralized quarantine facilities shall have adequate clean water, hygiene, adequate and nutritious food; protect children from abuse, including sexual abuse; take care of mental health of children therein as instructed by competent authorities.

This Official Dispatch replaces Official Dispatch No. 897/BYT-MT dated February 07, 2021 on quarantine of children under age 15. The Ministry of Health requests that other Ministries, central authorities and the People’s Committees of provinces preside over the implementation of this Official Dispatch; ensure that management and supervision of quarantine, transfer, transport, receipt of people who have completed centralized quarantine are strictly implemented; avoid cross-contamination and spread of the disease in community.

Sincerely./.

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