In the coming time, in parallel with speeding up contract-tracing and scaling up the testing programme across Da Nang, focus must be placed on intensifying inspections and imposing strict penalties on those who flout COVID-19 rules in a bid to raise public awareness and compliance. The instruction was mandated by municipal Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang at a meeting held by the Da Nang Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control on Sunday afternoon.

Da Nang Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang (left) addressed a meeting on Sunday held by the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control. Photo: PHAN CHUNG

Da Nang registered 12 locally transmitted cases on May 16, thus bringing the city’s total cases to 135 since May 3 when the first community infection was reported, said the latest report released by the municipal Department of Health.

According to latest report released by the municipal People’s Committee Office, on Sunday, 212 close contacts of COVID-19 cases were put under quarantine at the city’s designated medical facilities, bringing the total count of over 2,132 till date.

On the same day, medical staff collected swab samples for COVID-19 testing from 18,502 people across the city, thus bringing the total number of samples taken so far to more than 134,400.

Till date, the local healthcare sector has labelled 15 local residential settings as the so-called “self-quarantine zones”, set up 49 venues with access restrictions and identified 89 COVID-19 hotspots where locally transmitted cases were registered. 

Delivering his instructions at the event, Secretary Quang pointed out to the fact that many violations of COVID-19 prevention and control rules have been reported across the city over recent days.

In particular, there were still violations like gatherings of exceeding the limit of five people in public and false medical declarations, causing more difficulties for functional forces in completing their assigned tasks. He, therefore, underlined a need to increase inspections and strict handle violations in line with the laws.

In addition, the municipal Department of Justice must coordinate with the Authority of the Da Nang Hi-Tech Park and Industrial Zones and the Son Tra District government to handle any acts going against COVID-19 rules reported in a number of businesses, including Truong Minh Joint Stock Company at the An Don Industrial Park (IP), requested the city’s top leader. 

In the coming time, the strict practice of COVID-19 rules at IPs must be ensured. Any enterprises are caught committing violations will have their operations suspended immediately.

Municipal People's Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh urged all drivers of vehicles including passenger transport services operated by taxies and contract vehicles with fewer than nine seats across the city, including ride-hailing apps like GrabCar, and two-wheel taxi-motorbikes like GrabBike must contact medical facilities in their neighbourhoods to make their medical declarations and have their throat and nose swab samples taken for virus testing.

When the suspension period expires, drivers who test negative for the virus will be allowed to resume their operation.

Reporting by PHAN CHUNG- Translating by A.T