Anyone who previously visited Hoa Cuong Wholesale Market, which has closed down following the detection of a highly transmissible cluster of infections over recent days, must voluntarily show themselves up at local medical facilities for COVID-19 testing at the earliest.

Da Nang Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang gives his instructions during his working session with the leaders of the Hai Chau District authorities on COVID-19 prevention and control, August 20, 2021. Photo: NGOC PHU

The above-mentioned mandate was made by Da Nang Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang at his working session on Friday morning with the leaders of the Hai Chau District authorities on COVID-19 prevention and control.

Recently, many local wards have turned COVID-19 hotspots, notably Hoa Cuong Nam, Thuan Phuoc and Thach Thang. In the past few days, many community-acquired infections were linked to the highly transmissible chain at Hai Chau District-located Hoa Cuong Wholesale Market and Dong Da Market.

However, there have been some cases under which visitors to the Hoa Cuong Wholesale Market evaded the testing for the deadly virus.

Besides, many people who tested negative for the virus for the first time are now very subjective and still coming into contact with their neighbours.

It is also highly concerning that 10 police officers in Hai Chau District on the front lines have contracted the virus, whilst 21 others becomed close contacts.

The meeting is in progress, August 20, 2021. Photo: NGOC PHU

The city’s Party chief assessed that the virus outbreak in Hai Chau District is at a very high risk level for the time being. Therefore, the district’s authorities must call on those related to the Hoa Cuong

Wholesale Market to voluntarily test for COVID-19. The imposition of strict penalties, even criminal prosecution, on test evaders, should be conducted.

Regarding the proposal on the testing of the entire population in Hoa Cuong Nam and Thuan Phuoc wards, the city’s top leader asked these wards’ authorities to map out specific plans.

The district must take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of pandemic prevention personnel who must be fully equipped with protective gears and test for the virus every 3 days.

As revealed by Secretary Quang, from tomorrow, August 21, eligible goods delivery people, locally known as shippers, will be permitted to resume their operations provided that they must  get vaccinated, wear protective outfits, test for COVID-19 and be under close monitoring by the competent authority on a daily basis.

Currently, local people's orders for food are very high.  The local authorities will develop a new scenario for the supply of goods for the entire population in the coming time.

Reporting by NGOC PHU- Translating by A.T