The Da Nang government Wednesday announced modifications to the citywide "Stay-at-Home" order that has been in effect since August 16 and remains in place until 8am on September 5.

All areas in the city will be classified as red, yellow and green for COVID-19, and the colour codes will determine the rules that must be adopted to effectively respond the pandemic.  Red, yellow and green zones have varying levels of restrictions aimed at containing the spread of the virus.

The Red, Yellow and Green Zone classification is based on factors such as the number of cases, and the extent of testing and surveillance. Red Zones have a high number of cases. Yellow Zones have comparatively fewer cases and Green Zones have not had any cases in the last 14 days.

Red, yellow and green zones that's how areas across Da Nang are being classified as the city enters another phase of its battle against the novel coronavirus pandemic. The citywide stay-at-home order, imposed to curb the spread of the virus, has been extended till September 5 and the government has moved to a zone-wise classification system for this period.

The red, yellow and green zone classification of an area will determine what kind of activities is permitted there. However, strict-at-home order is being introduced across the city regardless of the zone classification.

Police have been given the power to implement stronger enforcement of stay-at-home order in residential settings and on the streets in order to make sure that all residents are isolating themselves at home in line with the current direction from the Da Nang government or face stiff penalties for non-compliance. The taskforce at checkpoints across the city will tighten controls and checks on road users to keep people off the streets for non-essential activity.

Red Zones: Total lockdown order will be imposed on all residents in these areas for 14 days, and the focus will be on strengthening measures to stop the spread of virus.   

Yellow Zones: Some certain activities will be allowed. Accredited retailers of food and essential goods such as trade centers, supermarkets, and convenience stores will be allowed to bring 100% of their employees back to work with proper precautions in a bid to meet growing demand for delivery services from local residents while they are under strict stay-at-home order.

Government agencies and departments are required to arrange only 10% of their employees at the workplace to carry out their duties with the adoption of the stay-at-work solution (except for forces who are on the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19 such as police and military personnel, healthcare workers, and steering committees for COVID-19 prevention and control at all levels).

If government agencies and departments need to change their employees to work in office, the changes will be allowed to be made between 7:00 am and 9:00 am on August 26. Eligible employees must have proof of a negative COVID-19 test and they must have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Only 30% of the total employees in factories and production facilities will be allowed to work in-person but the adoption of the stay-at-work solution and stringent compliance of advice and guidance for infection prevention and control from the municipal government required.

A maximum of 3 employees will be allowed to be present to carry out their administrative and financial duties in closing agencies and companies.

Construction sites of key projects which have been approved by the Chairman of the municipal People's Committee are allowed to remain open but the adoption of the stay-at-work solution required.

Shippers who are eligible for delivery services must meet the requirements of the Da Nang government. They must have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, undergo COVID-19 PCR testing every 3 days, follow the recommended guidelines for infection prevention and control, and the 5K recommendations of the Ministry of Health. In addition, they must wear personal protective clothing, use standard face masks, anti-droplet goggles, gloves, and hand sanitizer during their shipping process. Deliveries are allowed only between 6:00 am and 8:00 pm daily.

Green Zones: These zones are COVID-19 free areas, and areas will be declared as Green Zones after seeing at least 14 consecutive days without new infections. Permitted activities in Green Zones are the same as Yellow Zones.

Reporting by MAI QUE – translating by H.L