Nearly 50 residential areas in Hanoi’s Hoang Mai district without COVID-19 cases were marked as the “green zones” on August 2. (Photo: VNA)Barriers and a green board were put up at their entrances, indicating no COVID-19 patients have been reported there and outlining measures that non-residents must take before entering.
The measures include making health declarations, following the 5K message, and placing parcels and deliveries at the entrance.
The move came following orders from Hoang Mai district’s Party Committee, which instructed 14 wards under its jurisdiction to put up barriers around COVID-free areas to maintain their safety.
The 50 green zones reported are in Mai Dong and Dai Kim wards.
Speaking about the measure, Nguyen Tuan Anh, head of the Hoang Mai Party Committee’s Commission for Information and Education, said: “We learned from Ho Chi Minh City. The pandemic situation is so complicated there, but some wards and residential areas that have not got any COVID-19 patients have put up barriers to protect themselves from the virus.
“We realised this is a good model to learn from and should be duplicated, so we instructed the 14 wards in our district to do the same.”
On August 2, the municipal Health Department issued an urgent notice asking all local residents to immediately contact local medical authorities when showing one or more symptoms of coughing, high temperature, sore throat, breathing trouble, tiredness, reduction or loss of taste or smell.
They must contact local medical stations to receive guidelines and get free COVID-19 testing.
Residents can also call hotlines 0969 082 115, or 0949 396 115 for advice and support.
The People’s Committee of Hanoi on August 1 issued an official dispatch asking localities across the city not to allow local residents to travel outside the city during the period of social distancing.
The order was made amid complicated developments of the pandemic when a number of COVID-19 clusters, which originated from people returning to Hanoi from pandemic-hit regions, have been spreading quickly.
The municipal People's Committee requested all localities to assess high-risk areas, especially hospitals, industrial parks and clusters, populous residential areas and concentrated quarantine facilities, while taking the initiative in making decisionss on higher control measures during the period of social distancing.
It also urged localities and agencies to promptly roll out policies to support employees and employers who are affected by COVID-19.
The capital city’s administration also asked central and local agencies, units and socio-political organisations, as well as diplomatic corps and international organisations in the city to strictly abide by social distancing regulations and only allow a few staff to work at office.
Localities and agencies were requested to conduct COVID-19 vaccinations promptly, ensuring equal and transparent vaccine access.
Local competent forces have been working with the health centre of Hai Ba Trung district to tackle a cluster of 20 new COVID-19 infections detected at a food company in the locality immediately after receiving a report on the cases.
On August 1 afternoon, the forces came to the district regarding the outbreak at Thanh Nga food company at No 82, Alley 651 (82/651), Minh Khai street, Thanh Luong ward.
It identified that there are five other firms located at the same alley with the company, which has two premises.
With 43 employees, Thanh Nga’s main office is at 15/651, Minh Khai street, and its cold storage at 82/651, Minh Khai street.
All positive cases have been under treatment, with the number of F1 cases amounting to 17 and 750 other people with links to the epidemic spot had samples taken for COVID-19 testing.
On August 1 evening, local authorities of Thanh Luong ward decided to temporarily block the alley and a number of surrounding locations to set up a medical quarantine area./.
VNA
