The Da Nang government has announced that seated drink and food service and some activities in Da Nang were allowed to re-open and resume at 0am on June 9, provided physical distancing and sanitation rules were followed.   

Food and drink establishments are allowed to reopen but cannot exceed 50 percent capacity and must close by 9pm. They make a commitment to strictly complying with compulsory COVID-19 prevention and control regulations issued by the municipal government. Especially, owners of food and drink establishments and their staff must get tested for SARS-CoV-2 under the municipal testing guidelines.

In addition, they must make daily electronic health declarations, install and use Bluezone, Viet Nam’s contact tracing app available on both Android and iOS platforms, during their working time. 

Staff of food and drink establishments must wear face masks and gloves in food preparation and processing areas and while serving customers. They must embrace social distancing measures to serve customers from a safe distance.

Customers must have their body temperature taken before entering restaurants or coffee shops. They are required to complete an online health questionnaire to obtain a QR code which they show either on their mobile or on a print out on arrival at restaurants or coffee shops. They must use hand sanitiser or wash their hands at the designated area when coming to restaurants, eateries and cafes. They must keep their distance and limit contacts with others while eating and drinking.  

The establishments must ensure 1 meter of distance between tables and ensure that persons not actively eating or drinking are wearing facial coverings. They must have tables and floors been properly wiped and swept since the last seating. Any indoor or outdoor waiting area must be marked to enforce social distancing standards.

Restaurants and coffee shops are encouraged to use fans and limit the use of closed rooms, air conditioners if possible.

Customers will be denied entry into restaurants and coffee shops if they show one of such symptoms as fatigue, fever, cough, sore throat, and shortness of breath or they are those under home isolation. They will be also refused entry to these venues for non-compliance with the city’s COVID-19 rules.

Beaches are allowed to reopen to the public with some restrictions. Swimming is permitted at beaches from 4.30 am to not later than 7.30am, and 4.30pm to not later than 6.30pm. Swimming is only permitted in the designated areas. Bans on gatherings, drinking and eating, selling food, on the beaches still remain in place. Bathers must wear face masks before and after swimming, and leave the beaches straight after swimming. They must keep a distance of at least 1m from each other and avoid spending time in crowded places or in groups.

The beach showers remain closed until further notice, along with catering and other services on beachfront parks and pavements in all sidewalks of beaches are still banned.

 Barber shops and salons are allowed to resume their operations but their owners and staff must adhere to mandatory health declaration and COVID-19 testing orders issued by the municipal governments. They must wear a face mask while working, and require their customers to complete their mandatory health declaration form before entering their facilities.

Non-contact outdoor sports such as walking, tennis are allowed to resume provided that people must use face coverings and maintain at least 1 meter of physical distance.

The Da Nang government warns against complacency amid the complex developments of COVID-19. The public across the city are urged to continue to be vigilant and take steps to protect themselves and others from the virus.

Reporting by PHAN CHUNG – Translating by H.L