Da Nang People's Committee Vice Chairwoman Ngo Thi Kim Yen on Monday confirmed that the municipal government has absolutely no plan to place Da Nang under lockdown, and prohibit people from departing or entering the city in line with the Vietnamese Prime Minister’s guidelines.

Mrs Yen stated that Da Nang has achieved a high COVID-19 vaccination rate, and is adopting measures that allow flexibility and adaptation for effective control of the COVID-19 pandemic during her meeting with members of the municipal Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control on Monday.

In a statement of clarification at the meeting, she assured that there would be no lockdown in Da Nang, adding that the city will continue to pursue anti-epidemic actions rigorously and resolutely in line with the current direction from Viet Nam’s national government.

The public should stay vigilant against rumours and pay attention to information released by the municipal government to avoid being misled, Mrs Yen advised.

Vice Chairwoman Ngo Thi Kim Yen said there will be no lockdown in Da Nang at Monday’s meeting the municipal Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control. Photo: LE HUNG

Vice Chairwoman Yen directed the authorities at local level to generate proper COVID-19 assessment in specific areas to enable appropriate measures to be taken to tackle COVID-19 amid the complex developments of the pandemic.  The municipal Department of Industry and Trade was asked to put in place strictest health measures at wet markets, and require market stallholders to get a coronavirus test every 3 days.

She highlighted the need to maximize available resources to ensure smooth operations of wet markets in a bid to meet shopping demand from local residents for upcoming Tet Festival. In addition, the Da Nang leader ordered the most effective measures to ensure a safe environment for patients and staff in healthcare facilities.

Mrs Yen remarked that strict compliance of COVID-19 rules, especially the 5K recommendations of the Ministry of Health, among local residents and the effectiveness of COVID-19 testing rollout will help the city to control the spread of the virus in high-risk areas like wet markets.   

Vice Chairwoman Yen said that a combined total of more than 5,000 COVID-19 patients, including 22 requiring critical care, are being treated at Da Nang’s hospitals. The majority of the hospitalizations are older adults, people with underlying health conditions, and the unvaccinated, she noted.

The health agency was tasked to work with the municipal Department of Tourism to encourage local hotels to join the city’s programme to provide accommodation for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms to help them recover from the illness, as well as cover the costs of accommodation and meals for patients in difficult circumstances.

Mrs Yen also called for more volunteers to support the city’s fight against COVID-19.

Reporting by LE HUNG – Translating by H.L