Nearly 100 firms reopen in Covid epicenter Bac Giang

By Anh Minh June 12, 2021 | 08:34 pm PT

Medics take samples of workers at Quang Chau Industrial Park in Bac Giang Province for coronavirus tests, May 15, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Phong.

Bac Giang authorities have assessed local conditions and allowed 98 companies with more than 15,760 employees to resume operations.

The authorities have judged that the 98 enterprises meet the conditions for safe production in the context of Covid-19 prevention, including safe places to eat and stay for employees. Workers at factories must have negative Covid-19 results before returning to work.

The number of businesses that are appraised and eligible for reopening has doubled compared to a week ago. And within half a month of a pilot decision to allow businesses to reopen after the northern province temporarily closed its four industrial parks over the Covid-19 outbreak, Bac Giang has 15 businesses eligible to resume operation each day.

All of the enterprises returning to operation have adopted working models adapted to the needs of preventing and controlling the pandemic within and outside their premises. Social distancing while working and during meal times, and traveling in designated cars are some of the measures.

According to official calculations, the latest outbreak inflicted a daily loss of VND2 trillion (over $86 million) in industrial production when the northern province had to temporarily close four industrial parks. Many factories in Bac Giang are suppliers to large enterprises and export large parts and accessories to foreign countries, so this also disrupted the supply chain.

Therefore, Bac Giang will continue its policy of allowing businesses to operate again, step by step, ensuring safety for workers.

The province faces the problem of a lack of workers since a large number are still isolated in centralized quarantine facilities. Therefore, the province is urging districts and communes to do the second Covid-19 test for those who have been isolated at home, so that they can return to work at the earliest.

The pandemic situation in Bac Giang is being brought under control. The province recorded 32 Covid-19 infections on Sunday morning, bringing the total number of cases to 3,949. The province's authorities have said they are determined to stamp out the epidemic within the next 15 days.