The Da Nang government has made adjustments to the city’s mass screening program for coronavirus. Testing for SARS-CoV-2 remains a critical tool in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. Testing allows the early identification of cases, enabling rapid isolation of positive cases and linkage to treatment, as well as monitoring of outbreaks and broader epidemiological surveillance.

COVID19 testing rollout is being carried out in Da Nang from November 22 to 24 instead of December 14 -16 as planned earlier.

Testing are being conducted for owners, managers, receptionists, service staff, kitchen staff, parking attendants, loading and unloading staff, delivery staff of all restaurants and food service establishments across the city. All staff at eating and drinking establishments, along with market stallholders, traders, workers and staff at the Tho Quang Fishing Wharf are eligible to get tested for COVID-19.

Testing is being offered to 30% of the staffers working in each area of restaurants, eateries, wet markets, and the Tho Quang Fishing Wharf.

COVID-19 tests are also available to all people who have entered and returned to Da Nang from other parts of the country within the past 14 days but are not required to undergo mandatory quarantine and have yet to get tested for COVID-19 within 72 hours before the mass screening program rollout.

In addition, Da Nang continues to conduct testing for all primary close contacts of confirmed cases in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.

Authorities at local level are tasked to identify all eligible people for COVID-19 testing in their local areas, including immigrants staying in rental properties.    

Reporting by XUAN DUNG – Translating by H.L