Localities step up drastic solutions against COVID-19

From May 26, Bac Giang Province deployed a model for enterprises to resume production activities in local industrial parks of Dinh Tram, Quang Chau, Song Khe - Noi Hoang and Van Trung after having to stop working to prevent the spread of the epidemic.

Accordingly, the province has selected eight enterprises to develop a role model of safe production amid COVID-19, with businesses are only allowed to reopen using workers who have been confirmed by health authorities and local authorities to have been controlled for the risk of infection within 15 days before commencing work and with two negative test results, seven days apart, with the latter taking place one day before working.

Before returning to operation, enterprises must be reviewed, tested and assessed to ensure safety conditions for the prevention and control of COVID-19 in production and fully guided in regulations and measures to ensure safety in both production and prevention and control of the epidemic.

Also on May 26, Bac Giang commenced the implementation of pilot rapid sampling for 200 workers to quickly detect infections for better control of the current outbreaks in the local industrial parks.

On May 25, Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Truong Son led a delegation from the Ministry of Health to inspect the prevention and control of COVID-19 in Bac Ninh Province.

A delegation from the Ministry of Health inspects the prevention and control of COVID-19 epidemic in Bac Ninh Province on May 25, 2021. (Photo: NDO/Pham Tuan)

The locality is preparing for a scenario of 2,000 COVID-19 patients. Bac Ninh Provincial General Hospital also has a plan to deploy 50 ICU beds in the near future.

Deputy Minister Son suggested that hospitals in Bac Ninh pay great attention to regular testing, develop infection control procedures, and limit cross-infection in hospitals.

Carrying out the tasks assigned by the Hanoi People's Committee on the prevention and control of the epidemic, the Hanoi Capital Military High Command has directed the Military Commands of 30 districts, towns and related units to coordinate with local authorities towards completing the preparation of concentrated isolation areas. To date, 30 districts and towns of the capital city are ready to put 72 concentrated isolation camps into operation, expected to receive about 30,000 close contact cases of COVID-19 infections.

On May 25, Hai Phong City's health sector coordinated with the Hai Phong Economic Zone Authority and businesses collect samples for COVID-19 testing for about 5,000 local workers.

Previously, more than 4,000 foreign experts and over 10,000 employees were screened for early detection of COVID-19 at enterprises where foreign experts are working.

It is expected that during the current phase, the whole northern port city will conduct screening tests for about 30,000 experts and workers in local industrial parks.

Workers of Hop Thinh Co., Ltd. at Nomura Industrial Park in Hai Phong giving samples for COVID-19 testing. (Photo: NDO/Ngo Quang Dung)

On the same day, Hai Phong authorities also allowed the resumption of dining, lodging, park, garden, and golf course services from 6 am on May 26, which are required to comply with pandemic prevention and control regulations.

The northern province of Thai Binh has also decided to allow eateries and hair salons to reopen from 5 am today, along with other sport and physical activities.

Once reopened, restaurants must follow the 5K message of the Health Ministry and ensure a minimum distance of one metre is maintained between guests.

Thai Binh’s relevant departments, agencies and localities are asked to closely control immigrants, urge them to fill out health declarations, and tighten regulations in concentrated quarantine facilities.

Up to now, Ninh Binh Province has more than 3,000 employees in enterprises who have been sampled for testing for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These are cases randomly selected by enterprises because they often come into contact with and work in places that are assessed to be at high risk of COVID-19 infection.

To support businesses in local industrial zones, Vinh Phuc Province has encouraged experts and business managers to work online. If they are forced to move from another locality to the province to work, Vinh Phuc authorities encourage them to stay in the province during the complicated outbreaks. Currently, Vinh Phuc has arranged more than 800 rooms for foreign experts with different prices for them to choose from.

The Department of Transport of Son La Province has requested transport businesses to stop transporting passengers by car along fixed routes from Son La to Hanoi and vice versa, starting from 0:00 on May 26 until further notice, except for the cases of vehicles serving epidemic prevention and control and performing other public duties at the request of the competent authorities.

Means of transport of goods are allowed to operate but must strictly comply with regulations on prevention and control of COVID-19.