The Da Nang Steering Committee for COVID-19 prevention and control met in late afternoon of September 11 to discuss further easing of restrictions in green zones from next week following a down ward trend in new cases.

Municipal Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang (left) and municipal People's Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh co-chaired the Saturday’s meeting to discuss the next easing of restrictions. Photo: HOANG HIEP

Till date, 20 out of 56 wards and communes across Da Nang have marked 14 days without any community transmission, and have been classified as green zones.

Residents in green zones will see changes in COVID-19 restrictions with more essential services to be allowed to reopen soon. Accordingly, book and stationery stores, shops that specialize in repairing and maintaining all types of vehicles, electrical and water systems will be allowed to re-open. In addition, the increase in the number of trucks to transport goods to supermarkets and residential areas, and in the number of employees returning to work at government agencies and businesses will be permitted. More wet markets, especially the Hoa Cuong wholesale market and Tho Quang fishing wharf, will resume operations.

Da Nang leaders urged relevant agencies to develop action plans to prepare for further easing of restrictions in green zones.

Da Nang Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang directed authorities at local level to create an effective evacuation plan in response to storm Conson warning with a focus on moving people living in the most flood-prone areas to safe places and not conducting massive evacuations in a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The heed must be paid on putting in place strictest health measures to control COVID-19 during the evacuation process and at the temporary safe shelters for the evacuated people, Mr Quang emphasized.

The Da Nang top leader demanded the health agency and authorities at local level to make appropriate adjustments to mass testing plans for people in locked down areas depending on weather conditions.

Secretary Quang highlighted need to tighten controls on new arrivals in Da Nang, especially fishermen from outside the city who are allowed to enter the Tho Quang fishing wharf to shelter from storm Conson. He emphasized the importance of conducting compulsory COVID-19 antigen rapid testing for these visitors in reducing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 reintroduction from new arrivals.

Mr Quang stated that although the storm has been downgraded to a tropical depression, Da Nang is expected to experience prolonged heavy rains. He, therefore, called on authorities at local level to take proactive action to prepare for possible flooding in residential areas and streets in their local areas.

The Da Nang Party Chief stressed the need for the task forces to be on duty around the clock at places hit by severe flooding, especially flooded streets in order to give flood alerts to people to help them move safely.

Municipal People's Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh asked authorities at local level to identify the most effective responses to heavy rains and flooding in efforts to save lives and protect property.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP – translating by H.L