The Da Nang authorities on Wednesday started temporarily halting passenger transport services by inter-provincial fixed-route coach, contract vehicle, tourist coach and taxi services linking with the provinces of Phu Tho, Nam Dinh, Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri and Binh Thuan until further notice, as part of the city's restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19.

A ban on road assenger transport services linking to the provinces of Phu Tho, Nam Dinh, Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri and Binh Thuan takes effect from May 12.

In case of absolute necessity, however, passenger transport services linking to the six provinces must be approved by relevant local agencies, and cannot fill more than half of available seats, whilst the total number of passengers on each trip must not be more than 20.

Also under the suspension order, passenger coaches which run through the above-mentioned provinces on their journeys are prohibited from picking up or dropping off their passengers in contravention of the new regulations.

Meanwhile, vehicles travelling on route to remaining Vietnamese localities are still allowed to operate as normal. However, to be eligible to run on roads, they cannot carry more than half of their designed capacity, and must carry a maximum of 20 passengers onboard.

Of special note, all the road passenger transport vehicles are required to strictly obey mandatory safety measures against COVID-19.

In detail, before boarding, all passengers must declare their health conditions, have their body temperature measured and use hand sanitizer.

In addition, they are required to wear face coverings, limit chatting with others, and the intake of foods when using the public transport services.

All vehicles are also required to be disinfected before and after their journeys.

Previously, on May 9, the Da Nang government temporarily suspended public transport services linking the city with Thua Thien – Hue Province amid COVID-19 concerns.

Reporting by THANH LAN – Translating by A.T