Da Nang Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang agreed to the policy of easing additional COVID-19 restrictions on certain activities with proper precautions in place at a meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

Municipal Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang (left) delivers his instructions at the Tuesday meeting. Photo: PHAN CHUNG

Easing of additional restrictions with extra precautions in place

Secretary Quang remarked that Da Nang on Tuesday reported no new confirmed case of coronavirus in a 24-hour period, and the city has gone 28 straight days without recording any local transmissions, a milestone that has both been welcomed and brought warnings against complacency.

This shows a positive signal that the pandemic situation has been controlled effectively in the city. Further relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions in Da Nang in the new normal is essential with requirring thorough assessment of risk factors for coronavirus disease.

The city Party chief warned against complacency as COVID is still a threat to Da Nang amid surge in cases in some Vietnamese localties. He also called for continued monitoring of steps taken for COVID-19 management in the new normal.

Mr Quang remarked that special attention must be given to ensuring strict enforcement of preventive and protective measures against the pandemic among businesses and each individual across the city.

The city top leader demanded health officals to scale up COVID-19 testing programme for the city’s population, especially those who are at a higher risk of catching COVID-19.

The Da Nang government has agreed to the proposal of the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control to allow in-person teaching activities and transportation services to resume operations with proper precautions in place.

Mr Quang also directed functional forces to impose strictest penalties for non-compliance with COVID-19 rules.

“Relevant agencies should carefully consider the resources and policy that provide proper and timely support to those who are struggling financially as a result of the COVID-19 crisis​", Mr Quang emphasised.

Upholding the responsibility to prevent the spread of the virus among leaders of organisations and districts

Da Nang People's Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh warned officials and the public across the city not to become complacent in living with the threat of COVID-19 in the new normal.

Chairman Chinh highlighted the signficance of upholding the responsibility of leaders of organisations and districts in implementing infection prevention and control activities. He said these leaders must bear full responsibility for non-compliance with advice and guidelines from the municipal government regarding COVID-19 best practices.

The city leader said the Da Nang government will allow transport services linking with Quang Nam Province to resume operations in addition to the reopening of pre-schools, kindergartens, junior colleges, universities and vocational schools.

Mr Chinh also asked health and education officials to work together to offer COVID-19 screening tests to staff at pre-schools and kindergartens across the city before these shools reopen.  

He directed the fuctional forces to tighten checks at entrance points to Da Nang, and enforce COVID-19 rules on all arrivals and returnees from areas affected by COVID-19 pandemic in a bid to effectively manage risks in the potential spread of the virus.

Mr Chinh took the opportunity to call on every one across the city to play their part to stop new arrivals from bringing the deadly pathogen into the city.

Till date, 142 of the total 158 cases have been fully recovered from the illness after treatment, and they have been discharged from hospital.

In addition, fines of over VND 1.8 billion have been imposed on 644 people for breaking the city’s COVID-19 rules since early May outbreak.

Reporting by PHAN CHUNG – translating by H.L