Da Nang not to impose social distancing during Tet: official
Da Nang will not impose social distancing or shut down the city in the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) Festival, according to Ngo Kim Yen, Vice Chairwoman of the central city’s People’s Committee.
At a meeting of the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control on January 17, the official further said Da Nang will not apply any travel restrictions but maintain operation of supermarkets and traditional markets, while working to ensure the supply of necessities and smooth traffic during the holiday.
The affirmation was given amid rumours about the city’s closure and social distancing during the largest festival of Vietnamese people in a year.
Yen stated that although the number of COVID-19 infections in the city is rising, its response is effective with low fatalities and good control of the pandemic. Meanwhile, the city is injecting the booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines for locals as scheduled.
She asked local administrations to strengthen the protection of markets and medical facilities against the pandemic, while advising residents to implement the Ministry of Health's “5K message”.
The official requested the municipal Department of Health to make preparations against the possible rise in infections to avoid overload.
On January 17, Da Nang recorded 924 new COVID-19 cases, including 590 in the community.
The city is providing treatment to 2,087 COVID-19 patients, including 22 with underlying illnesses.
