The Da Nang Department of Natural Resources and the Environment has announced the suspension of all scrap collection activities at the Lien Chieu District-based Khanh Son landfill as part of the city's COVID-19 control measures.

Scrap collectors at Khanh Son landfill are at high risk of infection from domestic waste. Photo: HOANG HIEP

All garbage and scrap metal collectors are discouraged from operating at the Khanh Son landfill to prevent themselves from any close exposures to hazardous trash, especially infectious medical waste discharged from medical facilities, designated quarantine facilities, and places on lockdown.

Every day, about 200 people gather at the Khanh Son landfill to collect scraps at the Khanh Son landfill for sale so as to make ends meet in life. 

Previously, the Waste Management and Treatment Enterprise under the Da Nang Urban Environment Joint Stock Company had asked all scrap collectors to raise their awareness of complying with mandatory COVID-19 prevention measures, including wearing face masks, and having their body temperature measured before entering the site.

Preventive medicine centres across the city now must release professional guidance on the collection and gathering of waste inside all sealed off areas in accordance with Viet Nam's national regulations.

Meanwhile, the Da Nang Urban Environment Joint Stock Company is also required to distribute an appropriate number of trash bins, and ensure that the waste transportation is carried out within 24 hours to the treatment site by specialised vehicles that meet the technical regulations licenced by the hazardous waste treatment agency.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP- Translating by A.T