The lockdown placed on Son Loi commune, Binh Xuyen district, Vinh Phuc province, that had been hit by COVID-19, is officially lifted at 0:00 hours on March 4. (Photo: VNA)Vinh Phuc (VNA) — Thelockdown placed on Son Loi, a rural commune in the northern province of VinhPhuc that had been hit by COVID-19, was officially lifted at 0:00 hours onMarch 4.
The announcement was made by theprovincial authorities late March 3, marking the end of the 20-day lockdownaiming at containing the outbreak from spreading further in the community.
The lockdown, which was in placefor one week longer than the recommended 14-day quarantine by healthauthorities, effectively restricted all incoming or outgoing travel from thecommune with a population of 10,000 since February 13, after seven COVID-19cases were reported in Son Loi, out of the total 16 cases in the country.
It was lifted as the locality hasnot recorded any new infection case during the quarantine period.
During the lockdown, peopleentering or exiting the commune required express permits from the localauthorities. Large gatherings were also categorically forbidden, but mostactivities of the locals remained little disturbed, with groceries andessential goods still fully available.
Binh Xuyen district will stilldispatch groups of doctors and medical workers to keep abreast of the situationand deal with recurrence if needed, in light of the new developments of theoutbreak globally, a provincial official said during the ceremony to announcethe end of the lockdown.
Information campaigns will bestepped up to communicate to the public on proper prevention measures like practisingrespiratory and hand hygiene, the official said.
Do Xuan Tuyen, deputy healthminister, congratulated the successful results and appreciated the efforts ofSon Loi commune, Binh Xuyen district and the entire Vinh Phuc province.
Out of the 16 positive casesrecorded since the outbreak made its appearance in Vietnam on January 22, VinhPhuc had 11 and Son Loi commune alonereported seven cases – all due to a group of Vietnamese workers returning froma training trip to China’s Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirusoutbreak, on January 17.
All of them have beensuccessfully treated and released from hospital, however.
Vietnam has not recorded any newcases of the virus since February 13./.
VNA
