COVID-19: Vietnamese embassy in Kuwait prioritises citizen protection hinh anh 1Vietnamese Ambassador to Kuwait Trinh Minh Manh (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese Ambassador to Kuwait Trinh Minh Manh said on April 3 that the embassy gives the top priority to supporting Vietnamese citizens, with the aim of protecting their health and lives, legitimate rights and interests, amid the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Manh said no Vietnamese citizens in Kuwait have been infected with the disease so far.

However, about 80 foreign workers, mostly from India, Egypt and Bangladesh, tested positive for the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 that causes the acute respiratory disease (COVID-19). Several residential areas have been zoned off and quarantined. Meanwhile, hundreds of Vietnamese workers are living near there.

According to the ambassador, about 1,300 Vietnamese are living in the Middle East country, most of them are manual workers and still paid by their employers despite their absence from work. Those who have their contracts expired have been provided with accommodation and food by employers until flights to Vietnam are arranged.

He said the embassy attaches importance to ensuring close contact with and the supply of correct news to the Vietnamese citizens as well as the host authorities, particularly amid the spread of fake news on social media at present.

The diplomat added that the embassy launched a citizen protection hotline, updated news on its website and opened a Facebook contact group called “Vietnamese people in Kuwait” with nearly 1,000 members.

All of its staff have fully grasped policies and directions by leaders at home as well as the host country’s policies on epidemic prevention and control, he said.

As of April 3, Kuwait had recorded a total of 417 infection cases, 82 of them fully recovered and no death./.

VNA