HCMC – The central province of Quang Nam has decided to extend the social distancing order in the ancient town of Hoi An from midnight until further notice to prevent the spread of Covid-19, said the province’s vice chairman Tran Van Tan in a statement made this morning, August 13.

The vice chairman urged local residents to stay at home and refrain from going out to minimize the local transmission risk of Covid-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. People should wear face masks while going out; wash hands regularly with soap or hand sanitizer; avoid gatherings of more than two persons in public, outside office buildings, schools and hospitals and maintain a safe physical distance of at least two meters from others, he noted. During the social distancing period, factories, manufacturing facilities, essential businesses, banks and banking-related service providers, telecom operators and logistics firms will continue to operate as normal. The official asked the heads of provincial departments and agencies to map out plans allowing their employees to work from home but still ensuring their operations are not affected.