In the encouraging light of the pandemic gradually being put into control in Da Nang, restrictions in the city are expected to be eased. This means from by midnight on Friday 4 September, the current Covid-19 restrictions will be eased in Da Nang, in a move to pave the way for a gradual resumption of normal life.  However, it is worth noting that necessary precautionary measures, including asking people cross Da Nang to use face coverings in public spaces, and limiting gatherings if not necessary, must remain in place in the city because the deadly virus has yet to go away.

The Monday meeting on responding to Covid-19 being co-chaired by Da Nang Party Committee Deputy Secretary Nguyen Van Quang, and the Chairman of the municipal People's Committee cum Head of the Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, Mr Huynh Duc Tho

These matters were highlighted on the Monday meeting on responding to Covid-19, which was co-chaired by Da Nang Party Committee Deputy Secretary Nguyen Van Quang, and the Chairman of the municipal People's Committee cum Head of the Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, Mr Huynh Duc Tho.

Chairman Tho affirmed, from now till 4 September is the decisive time within which to stop the spread of the virus, hereby driving the city government to decide whether or not the city eases the current social distancing restrictions by the midnight on 4 September. The Da Nang government chief, therefore, urged the public across the city to stay highly alert against the virus.

Statistics released by the Da Nang Department of Health show that 108,000 families citywide with a combined total of 222,000 people have had their swab samples taken for Covid-19 testing. 

Meanwhile, the rest-more than 200,000 families have yet to be taken swap samples for testing. Hence, Chairman Tho underlined a need to collect 12,000 combined samples for group testing from 60,000 families residing in areas which are most at risk from a resurgence in coronavirus, and from those having relatives who work at the once-to-be-hotspot Da Nang General Hospital.  This urgent testing programme must be completed before 4 September, Chairman Tho stressed.

Deputy Secretary Quang (4th from left) expressing his deep gratitude to medical workers from the Cho Ray Hospital for their devotion and dedication to help Da Nang tackle its workforce shortages amid coronavirus crisis

If everything smoothly goes on right track, importance will be attached to loosening the current social distancing rules in parallel with ensuring best practices of precautionary measures in a bid to stop the spead of the virus. 

According to recent suggestions made by the district authorities, all restaurants, eateries and drink providers should be allowed to offer only takeaway and delivery services to limit gatherings, whilst current bans should be kept in place on gatherings on beaches, and the operation of passenger coaches and intra-bus services until the city reports zero local infections.

The time to come, relevant agencies must introduce precautionary measures among the public across Da Nang so as to encourage them to practise healthy habits to prevent them from potential exposure to the coronavirus.

For instance, wearing face coverings on public transport, in schools, traditional markets, and other public places will become mandatory, and when one meets a person they have not seen after a certain amount of time (three months, six months, one year, or longer).  Also, hand washing regularly with either soap and water or alcohol hand rub must be followed to prevent the spread of the virus. A safe distance between people in public spaces must be strictly practised.

In addition, it is necessary to ask families across the city to sign commitments to adopt good practice in infection prevention and control in a bid to ensure more active engagement by local residents in the combat against the deadly virus.

Da Nang will see a ceremony to welcome in the upcoming 2020 – 2021 academic year go virtual on 5 September as planned by the Ministry of Education and Training. Also, schools across Da Nang will open their online classes for their pupils and students from 7 and 13 September.  After that, the municipal Department Education and Training will announce the school comeback date for face-to-face classes. 

By NGOC PHU – Translated by A.T