Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone (EPZ) has been halted because of a sharp rise in Covid-19 infections at its companies.
Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong inspects the Covid-19 prevention activities at Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone
At a press conference on the city’s Covid-19 situation on Monday, Nguyen Hoai Nam, deputy director of the HCM City Department of Health said that 40,000 workers of the EPZ’s 132 enterprises were provided with Covid-19 tests and 276 tested positive for the virus.
According to Nguyen Hong Tam, deputy director of the HCM City Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the local health sector suggested the halt of the EPZ.
"More Covid-19 cases would be detected at the EPZ in the coming time,” Tam added.
On July 11, authorities of District 7 asked the Tan Thuan EPZ management board to put 29 enterprises with Covid-19 infections under quarantine. The management board then decided to temporarily close these firms.
The HCM City People’s Committee urged to quicken the consideration for local companies to continue the operations but still ensure their self-quarantine.
Covid-19 task forces at companies are also asked to actively instruct workers about Covid-19 prevention measures.
The authorities encouraged companies to pay quick Covid-19 tests for their labourers weekly by themselves. Unused facilities could be used for the quarantine of Covid-19 cases and people who came into close contact with them.