Odd/even date entry restriction has been re-imposed at traditional markets across Da Nang from today, May 8, in a bid to further reduce the movement of people in public places, the Da Nang Department of Industry and Trade announced on Saturday morning.  

The white odd/even date entry cards for patrons to do grocery shopping at local wet markets are valid today, May 8. Individuals will be allowed to enter a certain wet market only on odd or even days based on dates written on their entry cards. Photo: QUYNH TRANG

Restricted entry will be based on card numbers, and the entry cards will be issued by the district authorities to their local residents, including immigrants. Each family will receive odd/even date entry cards for grocery shopping at any traditional markets in the city.

Under the new rules, those whose dates on their cards are even days can only visit any of the local markets on the even dates of the month. Those with odd dates on their cards can only do so on the odd dates of the month.  

The new rules have come into effect from May 8 until further notice in a bid to limit the crowds, and reduce the risk of transmitting the virus in these places.

The latest regulation comes as more suspected COVID-19 cases have been detected in the city.

Patrons must add their personal information on their cards at the entry points at the markets. Otherwise, they will be denied entry.

Functional forces stationed at local traditional markets will only allow patrons to visit the markets on the permitted dates, monitor the safe management measures at markets, and control the number of entries based on the number of the shoppers’ cards in order to support the investigation of suspected or infected cases if necessary.

Additional two traditional markets namely Hoa Khanh Nam Market located in Lien Chieu District and Thanh Khe Market located in the namesake district have been forced to temporarily close due to these places linked to COVID-19 suspected cases.

Medical workers will collect a throat and nasal swab of over 100 stall holders in Hoa Khanh Nam Market and 220 others in Thanh Khe Market to test for COVID-19.

The spraying of chemical disinfectants were carried out in Hoa Khanh Market on Friday evening. Photo: Photo: QUYNH TRANG

Medical workers have already conducted disinfectant sprays for the prevention of COVID-19 in the two affected markets.

Thanh Khe District People’s Committee Chairman Ho Thuyen said that although the suspected case did not enter Thanh Khe Market, the district authorities have still imposed a temporary closure order on this place for disinfectant sprays for the prevention of COVID-19.

Chairman Thuyen also remarked that this market will be allowed to reopen after tests on stall holders here come back negative for the virus.

Reporting by QUYNH TRANG – Translating by H.L