HCMC – As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to spread at a worrisome pace across Vietnam, more provinces such as Dong Thap, Vinh Long, Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Dak Nong will begin practicing social distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
In Dong Thap, provincial chairman Pham Thien Nghia last night, July 12, issued a decision to impose the 15-day shelter-in-place order under the prime minister’s Directive 16 in seven more localities—Cao Lanh and Hong Ngu cities, Hong Ngu, Tam Nong, Thanh Binh, Tan Hong and Thap Muoi districts—starting from 0 a.m. tomorrow, given the province’s Covid-19 cases having soared to 620 by July 12.
Earlier, from 0 a.m. on July 11, the above-mentioned localities were asked to follow the social distancing order under the prime minister’s Directive 15, while the remaining five localities, comprising Sa Dec City and the districts of Chau Thanh, Lai Vung, Lap Vo and Cao Lanh had to issue the stay-at-home order in line with Directive 16.
Accordingly, this means the entire province will implement the shelter-in-place order.
Yesterday, Dong Thap reported 38 new infections among workers of a fisheries company in Cao Lanh District. This company has some 700 employees.
In the latest outbreak, which began on April 27, Dong Thap reported its first domestic infection on May 31. After nearly one month of seeing the disease brought under control, this Mekong Delta province recorded domestic infections at the Sa Dec General Hospital, following which it started facing a spike in new cases.
Regarding the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, it will impose the 14-day stay-at-home order under Directive 16 in Vung Tau City starting tomorrow, as the Covid-19 situation in the coastal city shows no signs of easing.
To date, Vung Tau City has reported 35 infections, with 26 cases confirmed by yesterday.
Similarly, in Vinh Long Province in the Mekong Delta, Truong Dang Vinh Phuc, Secretary of the Binh Minh Town Party Committee, said last night that the provincial government had allowed Binh Minh Town to begin social distancing under Directive 16 in 15 days starting 12 p.m. today.
Dak Nong Province in the Central Highlands also adopted similar anti-virus measures as the entire province will implement the stay-at-home order under Directive 15 from 12 p.m. today until further notice. As of July 12, it reported three locally-infected cases in the current fourth coronavirus wave.