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)
The announcement was made by the provincial authorities late March 3, marking
the end of the 20-day lockdown aiming at containing the outbreak from spreading
further in the community.
The lockdown, which was in place for one week longer than the recommended 14-day
quarantine by health authorities, effectively restricted all incoming or
outgoing travel from the commune with a population of 10,000 since February 13,
after seven COVID-19 cases were reported in Son Loi, out of the total 16 cases
in the country.
It was lifted as the locality has not recorded any new infection
case during the quarantine
period.
During the lockdown, people entering or exiting the commune required express
permits from the local authorities. Large gatherings were also categorically
forbidden, but most activities of the locals remained little disturbed, with
groceries and essential goods still fully available.
Binh Xuyen district will still dispatch groups of doctors and medical workers to
keep abreast of the situation and deal with recurrence if needed, in light of
the new developments of the outbreak globally, a provincial official said during
the ceremony to announce the end of the lockdown.
Information campaigns will be stepped up to communicate to the public on proper
prevention measures like practising respiratory and hand hygiene, the official
said.
Do Xuan Tuyen, deputy health minister, congratulated the successful results and
appreciated the efforts of Son Loi commune, Binh Xuyen district and the entire
Vinh Phuc province.
Out of the 16 positive cases recorded since the outbreak made its appearance in
Vietnam on January 22, Vinh Phuc had 11 and Son Loi commune alone reported
seven cases – all due to a group of Vietnamese workers returning from a training
trip to China’s Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak,
on January 17.
All of them have been successfully treated and released from hospital, however.
Vietnam has not recorded any new cases of the virus since February 13.
Source: VNA