HCMC transporters work around the clock to serve quarantined neighborhood

Since July 1, a neighborhood on District 3's Vuon Chuoi Street, home to nearly 3,000 people, has been isolated after many Covid-19 patients were found here.
At a checkpoint on the corner of Dien Bien Phu and Vuon Chuoi streets, volunteers control people and delivery flow.

Goods and groceries, mostly from local donators, are placed under two tents. Every day, volunteers divide these goods and distribute them to each household.
"Since early July, the local ward has allocated more than VND500 million ($21,724) to buy fruits, vegetables, and dried food for these families. They also set up a group of 36 volunteers to assist each household. Most volunteers live in the area, so they know each alley well," said Pham Thi Bich Phuong, vice chairwoman of Ward 4.

On the morning of July 30, Nguyen Nhat Tieng (right) and his teammate deliver sweet potatoes, vegetables, and instant noodles to households. They work until 7 p.m. and sleep at a nearby school, avoiding going home.
"Since this area was isolated, I have volunteered to work in this delivery team. I live here, so I know all the alleys, and help people have food each day," said Tieng.
They put these packages in front of quarantined homes, knock on their doors and leave immediately. Each household receives groceries every three days, and vegetables daily.

Local authorities also provide more sugar, salt, cooking oil, rice, and instant noodles to those in quarantine.

For those located further, volunteers use motorbikes to deliver goods.
"We have stayed at home for almost a month and still have enough groceries provided by local authorities," said Tuong (right) while spraying alcohol onto a package of pork.

Hoang Le Quoc Thanh delivers bread to a family, who uses a rope to receive it.
"My company has halted its operations because of the pandemic, so I work hard as a volunteer. I live in District 12, but I used to live in this neighborhood when I was a child, and returned to help people. I have gotten vaccinated, and always wear protective clothes, so I feel at ease," Thanh said.

Another household uses a basket with a note saying thank you for the bread delivery.

Shopping vouchers are given to households that are not under quarantine.

Around 100 shippers arrive at this checkpoint every day. They are required to leave packages at the checkpoint, with detailed information of receivers, so volunteers can deliver the goods to the right place.

All packages are sanitized with alcohol.

At around 11 a.m., Nguyen Anh Tuan, 30, has a late breakfast after a busy morning.
"We have not had a decent meal for a month, but it’s okay, as long as people stay inside their homes," he maintained.

In another isolated neighborhood in District 8, a volunteer travels to each house to deliver goods, using a speaker to notify them.
As of Sunday morning, Ho Chi Minh City has recorded 92,270 Covid cases in the current outbreak, with more than 3,600 quarantined areas.