The Da Nang government is highly expected to announce a further easing of the social distancing restrictions from 0am on 11 September amid the encouraging fact that the coronavirus outbreak has effectively been brought under control in the city. The city will turn back to its new normal of being at a low risk of coronavirus transmission.

Restrictions started to be eased in Da Nang from 0am on 5 September after the outbreak was effectively brought under control in the city

The statement was made by Da Nang People's Committee Vice Chairman Le Trung Chinh at Wednesday's meeting to adjust restrictions in the city in a bid to adapt to the changing situation around Covid-19. Mr Chinh urged relevant agencies to consider allowing other currently- prohibited aspects to resume their operations, provided that pandemic precaution measures must be taken.

Da Nang has gone 13 consecutive days without recording a new local community transmission infection of Covid-19, Doctor Ton That Thanh, the Director of the Da Nang Center for Disease Control said.

Since Da Nang braced for a second wave of Covid-19 in late July, 389 confirmed Covid-19 cases have been reported across the city, and the total recoveries have reached 308. Currently, only 35 remaining patients are being treated at the Da Nang Lung Hospital and the Hoa Vang Field Hospital.

Till date, more than 315,000 locals have had their swab and blood serum samples taken for coronavirus testing.

According to Director of the municipal Department of Health Ngo Thi Kim Yen, in the time to come, medical workers will continue implementing testing programmes. In particular, as long as a F0 (the infected case) is reported, large-scale testing will be conducted immediately at the surrounding areas where future new case is confirmed.

Currently, all schools across the city are operating effectively their online classes for their pupils and students until 13 September.  After that, the municipal Department Education and Training will announce the school comeback date for face-to-face classes.

The Da Nang authorities have agreed on the temporary use of a Lien Chieu District - based dormitory in the western part of the city and a building offering accommodations for workers in Cam Le District as the city’s only 2 dedicated quarantine establishments for F1 and F2 contacts.

Under the new eased social distancing rules imposed as long as Da Nang turns back to the new normal of being at a low risk of coronavirus transmission, people across Da Nang are still recommended to continuing staying at home as much as possible, and only go out under absolutely necessary circumstances, taking measures to protect themselves and their families.

Also, they are  advised to remain a distance of at least 1 metre from anyone they do not live with when outside their home.

Ban on public gatherings of more than 30 people remains, except for in offices, schools and hospitals.
Festivals, religious and sports tournaments and such events as wedding and housewarming parties with gathering of more than 30 people will remain banned until further notice.

Meanwhile, places such as bars, beauty salon, discos, cinemas, gyms, karaoke and massage parlors, and discotheques, tourism and travel services, entertainment facilities, recreational activities in hotels and resorts, and casinos, plus and prize-winning electronic games for foreigners, will remain closed.

By DAI BINH – Translated by A.T