The ministry made the request in a recent notice sent to provinces and centrally-run cities. Minister Thien also asked them to suspend all activities at historical – cultural relic sites and scenic landscapes to prevent gatherings so as to reduce infection risks.
He also demanded stronger inspection and settlement of violations in the implementation of the Prime Minister and the ministry’s directives and notices relevant to nCoV prevention and control.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc signed a decision on February 1 declaring that the nCoV-caused disease is causing an epidemic in Vietnam.
*Hanoi suspends activities at relic sites, tourist destinations
Historical and cultural relic sites and tourist destinations in Hanoi are closed to visitors and cultural activities at those sites are suspended as part of the capital city’s preventive measures against the threat of the novel coronavirus (nCoV).
In an urgent notice sent to People’s Committees of districts and agencies on February 4, the municipal Department of Sports and Culture urged for a step up the communication work to raise public awareness of the acute respiratory disease caused by nCoV and countermeasures.
As from February 3, the People’s Committee of Hoan Kiem district has halted activities on the pedestrian streets in the district, which attract tens of thousands of people each weekend.
As of the afternoon of February 4, Vietnam has recorded ten nCoV cases, with the latest patient being a 42-year-old woman in the northern province of Vinh Phuc, who had been in close contact with an nCoV female patient in the province.
* Vietnam-China passenger trains suspended as coronavirus spreads
Passenger train T8701/MR2 from China to Vietnam will be suspended from 18:05 on February 4 amidst the spread of the acute respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus (nCoV).
As per the notice, train MR1/T8702 from Vietnam to China will be halted from 21:20 on February 5.
Meanwhile, international cargo trains through railway stations in Lang Son and Lao Cai will maintain their usual operations.
* On February 4, the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam also proposed that Departments of Transport in provinces sharing a border with China should temporarily suspend transport licensing for vehicles from Vietnam to the Chinese epidemic areas and vice versa.
In addition, the Departments of Transport of Hanoi and Hai Phong have been directed to temporarily suspend the operation of passenger vehicles from China to Vietnam, including the Hanoi - Nanning route and the Hai Phong - Ha Long - Nanning route.
