Over 500 firms in Bac Ninh resume operation

More than 500 firms in Bac Ninh Province have resumed operation after having closed for Covid-19 prevention.

More than 500 firms in Bac Ninh Province resumed operation on June 2 after having closed for Covid-19 prevention.

  

A cafeteria in Que Vo Industrial Park

Bac Ninh industrial parks have over 1,100 firms and 320,000 employees, 75% of the employees are from other provinces and cities so travel demand is high. Amid the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak and rising positive cases, Bac Ninh authorities asked firms to prepare dormitories or long-term residential area for employees so that they would not have to go outside before they were allowed to operate.

Bui Hoang Mai, head of the Bac Ninh Industrial Parks Management Board, said, "As of June 2, over 500 firms have completed and submitted their plans to us. All the work has been carried out online over the past few days. We also set up 40 inspection teams to make sure that all requirements for Covid-19 prevention and fire safety are met."

Que Vo Industrial Park has over 70 firms, of which 13 firms already reported having Covid-19 cases. Goertek Company that provides electronic equipment and components to major firms said they had arranged a living area for the employees inside the factory. The employees must be tested negative for Covid-19 within 72 hours prior to work. They will be provided with VND150,000 a day subsidy and must be tested every three days.

VSIP Bac Ninh Industrial Park with 90 firms also installed bunk beds, air conditioners and other appliances on May 31. Fushan Technology Vietnam said they also provided VND100,000 (USD4.30), three meals a day and other necessities. Many of their employees have small children but they are willing to co-operate with the new policies.

Vuong Quoc Tuan, vice chairman of Bac Ninh People's Committee, said, "We have asked firms to monitor the situation and re-arrange the schedules to reduce the employee density in the factories by 50%. Firms that are unable to meet preventive requirements will have to be suspended."

The Bac Ninh Industrial Parks Management Board will be the bridge between firms and local authorities. The management boards of local industrial parks will receive and review requests about shuttle bus, foreign experts, material trucks and other service vehicles.

Tuan said, "We'll create the most favourable conditions to set up a living area inside the factories or a shuttle bus to transport employees to and from between factories and the registered hotels and guesthouses. We'll not let the outbreak spread anymore inside the factories while maintaining operations and allowing business activity."