The Da Nang Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control met on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the steps to further enhance the surveillance and infection control measures in the city in the light of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Municipal People’s Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh chairs a meeting with representatives of the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 prevention and control on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: PHAN CHUNG

Municipal People's Committee Chairman warned officials and the public across the city not to become complacent in living with the threat of COVID-19 following 21 days of no community transmission of COVID-19 as of June 9.  

“With the continued easement of COVID-19 rules and people moving about and doing more, the risk of catching the virus increases which is why it is as important as ever to follow the city’s guidance for infection prevention and control”, Mr Chinh remarked.

Observations from our reporters indicated that eateries, restaurants and coffee shops and their customers were seen following strict new rules for reopening starting from 0am on Wednesday. In addition, all residents showed their willingness to following the municipal government’s advice, acting responsibly to play in containing the spread of the virus.

Chairman Chinh asked the Management Board of the Son Tra Peninsula and Tourist Beaches to work closely with authorities in the districts of Lien Chieu, Thanh Khe, Son Tra, Ngu Hanh Son to enforce new rules on swimmers at beaches after swimming ban has been lifted with some restrictions.

The city government leader demanded functional forces to enforce regulations to impose strictest penalties on bathers at beaches for non-compliance with city’s new rules.

Chairman Chinh urged relevant agencies to increase surveillance of restaurants, eateries, cafes, barbershops, salons and allowed outdoor sports in a bid to ensure that everyone across the city follow the city’s new rules suit in terms of staying safe and alert.

Mr Chinh required health officials to make a plan for COVID-19 testing offered to sole traders at high-risk settings and consider covering the cost of their tests.

The city leader also remarked that the Da Nang government will look at the latest advice from relevant agencies to continue relaxing the COVID-19 restrictions after city records 28 days without local transmission.

“The current restrictions will be considered further easing on the remaining essential services but bans on non-essential businesses will remain in place. The lifting of bans on more activities in the city will result in ignoring COVID-19 risks with people among the general public. With the continued easement of restrictions and people moving about and doing more, the risk of catching the virus increases which is why it is as important as ever to follow the municipal advice and guidance.”, Mr Chinh emphasised.     

Vice chairman Chinh highlighted the importance of further enhancing surveillance of arrivals at entrance points to keep coronavirus out of the city.

Seven more coronavirus patients were discharged from the Da Nang Lung Hospital and the Hoa Vang District Medical Centre on Wednesday following their three testing negative results.

Da Nang has recorded 21 days without local transmission that is very important to Da Nang to lift restrictions on certain essential activities in a bid to meet the desire and aspiration of the public across the city after a lengthy battle with COVID-19. In photo: Leaders of the Hoa Vang Medical Centre and the four recoveries pose for a photograph. Photo: LE HUNG

They are no longer contagious and pose no risk to the public.

Local healthcare workers will put in place close monitoring of the recoveries during their14-day self- quarantine period at their places of residence after discharge following the Ministry of Health's guidelines.

Reporting by PHAN CHUNG – Translating by H.L