After Da Nang embraced for a second wave of Covid-19 infections late last month, the city authorities and local residents have teamed up to reach the common goal of gaining the full control of the deadly virus with practising effective infection prevention and control measures. The local tourism industry has not ‘stood beyond the circle’ as a wide arrays of precautionary measures have been in place in a bid to ensure the safety of tourists stranded in the city, and those working for this lucrative aspect as well.

The Marble Mountains Tourist Area has suspended its operation to make way for the fulfillment of Covid-19 prevention and control tasks.

Shortly after new Covid-19 positive cases were confirmed in Da Nang late last month, all local tourism attractions across the city have closed their doors to visitors during the ongoing compulsory social distancing period in the city from 27 July in a bid to prevent the spread of the virus.

Such attractions as the Nui Than Tai Hot Spring Park, the Sun World Ba Na Hills Resort, the Asia Park and the Marble Mountains Tourist Area have suspended their operations to make way for the fulfillment of Covid-19 prevention and control tasks.

According to the city authorities, a large number of travellers are still stranded in Da Nang due to the coronavirus crisis and have to stay in the city until the social distancing rules are lifted.

For the sake of their safety, the Da Nang Department of Tourism has asked the stuck tourists to stay in their accommodation facilities.  They are advised to only go out when they need to buy food, supplies and medicine, or in emergency situations.

Meanwhile, the owners of the hotels where the stuck travellers are staying have been highly encouraged to provide necessary support and lower room rates for them.

In active response to the local tourism sector’s appeals, many hotels have offered considerable discounts on accommodations to support stranded tourists.  Also, guests are allowed to cook at shared kitchens here.

In more worth-praising move, some serviced accommodation providers now let tourists stay for free of charge during the city's social distancing period.

In particular, serviced accommodation establishments’ staff are highly recommended to tighten the regular supervision and monitoring of their guests’ health status.  Anyone who appears to have the most commonly reported signs and symptoms such as fever, cough, a sore throat, chest pain and shortness of breath, will be reported to local health authorities for early detecting suspected cases and taking their swap samples for Covid-19 testing, and promptly carrying out appropriate isolation and medical interventions as well.

Also as per request of the local tourism authorities, all serviced accommodation establishments have encouraged their staff and guests staying there to install Bluezone, a Bluetooth-based app that helps determine if a person has come into contact with a Covid-19 patient, and the nCOVI app for health declaration and monitoring.

The Visitor Support Centre’s staff are always available to give support to the stranded visitors around the clock

Noticeably, the staff members at the Visitor Support Centre under the municipal Tourism Department have been reached their full potential at work in a bid to give active support to tourists, especially those stranded in the city.

On average, the Centre’s staff receives a combined total of 100 phone calls from visitors every day on the helpline at 02363.550.111, especially even at all odd hours: midnight or 2:00am. 

Regardless the high work pressures facing time around the clock, the Centre’s staff have always showed their enthusiasm in answering any concerning questions from the callers and giving them timely support if needed.

More recently, the Centre’s staff got actively engaged in helping the stuck tourists book air tickets for Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City-bound flights to get home.

By THU HA – MINH LE – Translated by A.T