Dong Nai targets return to normalcy by mid-October

The province that borders Ho Chi Minh City will carry out a two-phase plan to achieve new normalcy.

The first phase from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 will see green zones, or low-risk areas where no Covid-19 community cases have been found in at least 14 days, reopen. They are mostly in Tan Phu, Dinh Quan, Xuan Loc, Thong Nhat, Cam My Districts and Long Thanh Town.

The second phase will see the province, a major industrial hub, completely resume all socio-economic activities under conditions of ensuring safety from Covid-19.

Specifically, after Sept. 15, companies and family businesses producing and trading essential goods in "green zones" are allowed to open when employees have had at least one vaccine injection for over 14 days, with all activities done following the Ministry of Health’s Covid-19 prevention protocols, which include having all people wear masks, keep a distance and wash their hands regularly.

Food and drink businesses can only serve takeaways. Sellers and buyers must keep their distance while sellers must wear face shields aside from masks and gloves.

For local residents in green zones, only those that have been fully vaccinated and those that have recovered from Covid-19 within the past six months are allowed to be out on the streets.

Until Oct. 15, all activities after 6 p.m. will be restricted.

Companies that organize for laborers to stay at work are allowed to change staff to maintain production but those laborers must live in a green zone and have received at least one Covid-19 jab more than 14 days prior.

When being switched, both laborers must have tested negative three days before via PCR and tested negative the day of switching via rapid tests.

Each company can only switch staff at less than 10 percent of its total workforce each week.

Companies that do not let laborers stay back must ensure tall employees showing up at work live in green zones and have received at least one Covid-19 vaccine injection over two weeks prior. Before commencing work, all staff must test negative via quick screening.

After Oct. 15, the province would draw up a more detailed plan.

For the latest Covid-19 wave that broke out in late April, Dong Nai is the third-worst hit locality after HCMC and Binh Duong, another neighboring province.

Dong Nai data shows it has recorded 35,901 cases and 320 fatalities so far in the current wave, though many have not been confirmed by the Health Ministry.

By Sept. 15, the province would have gone nearly 70 days under Directive 16, the strictest social distancing rule that bans all from going out except for food and medical treatment.

It has vaccinated more than 1.6 million above 18, or 71.2 percent of all adults, and 73,000 have gotten two shots.