The Da Nang Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control met on Monday afternoon to consider easing restrictions further from Wednesday, June 9.

Municipal Party Committee Nguyen Van Quang Secretary (left) delivers his instructions at the Monday meeting to discuss next steps on road to the new normal. Photo: PHAN CHUNG

Municipal Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang remarked that the committee will look at the latest advice from relevant agencies before the municipal government signs off on a decision.

Da Nang on Monday reported no new confirmed case of coronavirus in a 24-hour period, and the ciy has gone 20 days without local transmission. Due to the current situation and Da Nang is entering into the “new normal”.

The total number of active cases in Da Nang remained at 158, all in managed isolation. Overall, 84 of the total cases have been given coronavirus all-clear after treatment.

The city Party chief stressed the need for relevant agencies to contemplate and consider carefully lifting ban on certain essential services with some restrictions in a bid to adapt to the new normal and effectively manage risks in the potential spread of the virus.

Mr Quang also warned against complacency as COVID is still a threat to Da Nang amid the complex development of the pandemic in the country.

“Top priority should be given to enforcing COVI-19 rules in the city and imposing strictest penalities for non-compliance with the city’s prevention measures”, Mr Quang emphasised.

The city top leader urged residents across Da Nang to continue to be vigilant and take steps to protect themselves and others after further restrictions being eased tomorrow, June 9.  

Mr Quang demanded health officials to proactively develop a plan for periodic COVID-19 testing of residents at regular intervals. In addition, education officals were asked to prepare carefully for the upcoming  10th-grade entrance exams amid the COVID-19.

Municipal People's Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh remarked that tightening COVID-19 rules in the city must always be the top priority after restrictions being further eased.

Chairman Chinh highlighted the importance of enforcing the regulations that are being put in place in ensuring compliance with the 5K recommendations of the Ministry of Health and other rules introduced as a result of the pandemic among the public across the city.

“Maintaining a safe and secure environment at designated facilities must a top priority. The heed must be paid on tightening monitoring all arrivals in the city, especially from areas affected by COVID-19”, the city government leader said.

"In terms of the regulations, as things improve, we certainly review them all the time and, hopefully, we'll be in a position to relax them further,” Mr Chinh said.

Chaiman Chinh emphasied that changes in restrictions will see certain essential activities allowing and reopening from tomorrow, June 9. Included are swimming at beaches, physical oudoor activities and seated food and drink service.

As of June 7, 166 out of 2,641 close contacts of people with COVID-19 had been quarantined in designated facilities while the rest had already their compulsory quarantine period.  A total of 10,543 secondary close contacts had been identified. In addition, 39 arrivals from affected areas had been placed under quarantine in designated facilities. Besides, the number of COVID-19 hotspots in the city had reduced from 100 to 4.   

Reporting by PHAN CHUNG – Reporting by H.L