Hundreds of fishermen stuck on boats as quarantine centres overloaded

More than 300 fishermen have been stuck on 70 boats in the central province of Quang Ngai Province for some 10 days as local quarantine facilities are entirely full.

Fishermen stuck on their boats in Quang Ngai Province

The fishermen are staying at Sa Huynh Port. One of them, Nguyen Tinh, said he and six crew members had returned to the port 10 days ago. All of the crew members tested negative for Covid-19 but they were told to that they would be quarantined for 14 days for Covid-19 prevention following the government's regulations.

"We’re waiting anxiously because we’re not sure how long we’ll be waiting out here," he said. "All the quarantine centres at Pho Thanh Ward are currently overloaded."

The fishermen said they had stayed at their boats for nearly 14 days now and want to count this time as their quarantine time. However, Quang Ngai authorities refused the proposal.

Hundreds of fishermen stuck on the sea

Nguyen Van Luong, chairman of Pho Thanh Ward People's Committee said they suggested setting up another quarantine centre in other wards but the fishermen refused to go.

"Because of Covid-19, the fishermen have had many difficulties and they don't want to pay the quarantine fees. That's why many people proposed to count the time they stayed on the boat as their quarantine period. But we still have to follow the rules," Luong said.

Duc Pho Commune has the highest number of fishing boats in Quang Ngai. Over 600 boats are still working offshore.