HANOI, 12 May 2021: Local authorities at popular resorts in Vietnam are closing beaches in a move to limit the spread of a new outbreak of Covic-19.
Vietnam News Agency confirmed Hai Phong City authorities closed popular beaches Do Son and Cat Co last weekend after nearby Hanoi reported 47 cases.
Located 150 km east of Hanoi, Quang Ninh, closed Tuan Chau, Quan Lan and Ti Top beaches, until 23 May to discourage Hanoi residents from visiting coastal resorts.
The World Heritage town of Hoi An in central Quang Nam province has also closed its beaches this week. Neighbouring Danang with beaches stretching for more than 30 km north and south of the port city shut them down indefinitely until the source of recent Covid-19 cases has been identified and cleared. Danang reported five cases, and Hoi An, reported one.
Nha Trang and Phu Yen, both popular beach towns in the central region, are restricting access to beaches with barriers but have not officially announced a ban on visitors.
Quang Binh Province in central Vietnam suspended tours and closed its famous caves until further notice. A popular UNESCO World Heritage site Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park’s main feature is the Son Doong cave system, arguably the largest in the world.
Vietnam reported rising Covid-19 cases — 637 from 28 April to 10 May after being relatively clear of infections since mid- March. The latest outbreak hit 25 cities and provinces, including the capital Hanoi, leaving around 10 government hospitals under lockdown.
Last Sunday, Vietnam reported 102 new cases in one day, prompting Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to warn that if the situation went unchecked, an outbreak would threaten political stability.
On 10 May, the country reported 77 new infections and 3,489 cumulative cases. Infections are running at a daily average of 72 over the last seven days. Fatalities remain low at 35 since the count began in March 2020.
Vietnam has been praised for its record in containing its outbreaks quickly through targeted mass testing and a strict, centralised quarantine programme.
(Source: VNA)
