92: Information on new directives & invitation to an information session with Dr. Phi

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Today has been a busy day with rumors abounding and new directives being issued. I hope this message will help clarify some questions or concerns which may have arisen during the day.

Before elaborating on the directives, I’d like to invite you to an information session with Dr. Phi, International SOS, on Wednesday, July 21. Dr. Phi will gladly provide an update on the outbreak in HCMC, government measures to curb the outbreak, the status of vaccines, etc. If there are specific topics or questions you wish addressed, please feel free to ask here in English or Vietnamese. 

• Zoom link for English Presentation with Dr. Phi, International SOS, Wednesday, July 21 at 2:00 PM.

• Link cuộc gọi Zoom Cập nhật tình hình và giải đáp thắc mắc bằng Tiếng Việt với Dr. Phi, phía International SOS vào lúc 3:30 chiều Thứ 4, 21/07.

Implications of Directive #2337

Today, many noticed long lines at supermarkets because people believed that a stricter lockdown was imminent. There is every reason to believe that grocery stores will continue to be stocked and essential services will continue to function.

The new Directive #2337 HCMC People’s Committee applies to factories and industrial zones. Specifically, enterprises and factories will be closed from 00:00 (midnight) on July 15 if their COVID prevention measures do not meet the government’s requirements.

Good News About New Faculty and Returning Faculty Arrivals in HCMC

We are thrilled that 11 new faculty and their 14 dependents have successfully arrived in HCMC and are currently in quarantine at Novotel (D3) and Ibis (D7). Additional new faculty are scheduled to arrive tomorrow, Thursday. We have been able to successfully provide groceries and other necessities to them this week.

Returning faculty have also started arriving this week and are currently in quarantine.

Potential Changes to Quarantine Requirement, Directive #5599

The second directive issued today Directive #5599 indicates a reduction in quarantine time in the quarantine hotel from 21 days to 14 days (for F1 cases and people entering Vietnam to work) followed by 14 days at home to monitor their health. The overall length of quarantine remains the same but it’s now promised to be balanced between hotel and home quarantine. As expected, the management and supervision of home quarantine will be strict but conducted in the comfort of one’s home.

As this directive was just issued this afternoon, we are awaiting guidance from the CDC to determine the end of the quarantine period for newly arrived faculty and returning faculty. So, please wait while we receive clarification of implementation guidelines and details. The Business Office will inform all of those in quarantine as soon as the requirements and paperwork are clarified.

We will be conducting a Zoom meeting with new faculty members in quarantine on Friday afternoon, and we expect to have greater clarification on Decree 5599 and CDC guidelines for implementation by then.

As always, we will continue to keep you informed of any new developments. We understand that there is a lot of information out there and that it is important that you have access to accurate and verified data about the directives, guidelines, and regulations and we will do our very best to ensure that you have it in a timely manner.

Please take good care of yourselves, and do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions at all.

All good wishes,

Catriona