Don't shut down whole company over a few Covid-19 cases: Deputy PM

Speaking at an online meeting Monday with businesses executives from industrial hubs, he said only the section in which they work should be shut down until everyone who had been in direct contact with the infected people is isolated.

Workers are tested every week to ensure control over the disease since industrial parks with 20,000 workers could be dangerous Covid clusters, he said.

Several companies like precision manufacturer Nidec and clothing brand Nike had said that as production gradually resumes in the country factories should not be closed completely if Covid-19 cases are found.

Others like Samsung, conglomerate Hyosung Vina and garment maker Far Eastern Apparel Vietnam called for vaccinating key manufacturing workers and allowing fully vaccinated workers to commute to work every day by company vehicles.

Thanh ordered government agencies to distribute more vaccines to industrial hubs and ensure key roads are open.

Local authorities should help businesses resume under the "new normal" circumstances, he said.

Vietnam is starting to resume economic activities after months of social distancing in its two largest cities, HCMC and Hanoi.

HCMC has in recent weeks eased shopping restrictions in some districts and resumed inter-district deliveries, and is set to end social distancing on Sep. 30.

Hanoi relaxed social distancing requirements on Tuesday and let restaurants resume takeaway services and businesses operate with half the workforce.

There were 8,668 new Covid cases in the country Monday, the lowest number in over a month.