Many 'non-essential' shops and businesses remain open without a care.

On the fourth day of implementing the Prime Minister's Directive 16 on urgent measures to prevent and control the Covid-19 epidemic, the majority of people in Nghe An province have shown compliance. However, in some localities, there are still instances of kiosks operating to sell non-essential goods.

Following the Prime Minister's Directive 16, most kiosks selling non-essential goods have temporarily ceased operations. Photo: Duc Anh

At noon on April 4th, while traveling along the Vinh – Cua Hoi road, connecting Vinh city, Nghi Loc district, and Cua Lo town, we observed the compliance of people along this major road with regulations on trading goods. Here, most food and beverage businesses and kiosks selling non-essential items such as clothing, shoes, and furniture were closed and had ceased operations.

Only outlets selling essential goods such as food, fuel, and building materials remain open as usual. The volume of people and vehicles on the roads has also decreased significantly compared to normal days. This reflects a high level of self-discipline and awareness in preventing and controlling the spread of Covid-19.

Some kiosks selling non-essential goods in Nghi Xuan commune (Nghi Loc district) remain open (photo taken at 11:30 AM, April 4th). Photo: Duc Anh

Mr. Nguyen Van Nam, a resident of Phuc Tho commune (Nghi Loc district), said: “My family and neighbors in the village and commune are limiting our outings, only going out when necessary, and temporarily stopping shopping because we have food supplies readily available, and we also have homegrown produce. Going out and visiting restaurants frequently at this time means facing a very high risk of contracting the disease.”

However, along the Vinh – Cua Hoi road, you can occasionally still find a few businesses selling non-essential items such as gold and silver, furniture, and mobile phones that remain open. These are most common in Nghi Xuan commune (Nghi Loc district) and Nghi Hai ward (Cua Lo town).

A few kiosks selling gold, silver, and mobile phones along the Vinh - Cua Hoi road remain open. Photo taken at 11:35 AM on April 4th. Photo: Duc Anh

These business owners are seen as ignoring the regulations on nationwide social distancing in the Prime Minister's Directive 16, showing a lack of awareness and compliance with the directives of the authorities. This will increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission, making it difficult to control and contain the disease should an outbreak occur in the area.

Reportedly, local authorities have intensified propaganda efforts through loudspeaker systems and established task forces to visit individual households to encourage compliance with disease prevention and control regulations. However, a small number of households are still not strictly adhering to the rules, and local authorities need to continue their efforts and take timely deterrent measures.

A shop selling religious items in Nghi Hoa ward (Cua Lo town) is still operating. Photo taken at 10:50 AM on April 4th. Photo: Duc Anh

Earlier, on the afternoon of April 3rd, at a meeting directing the propaganda work on COVID-19 prevention and control, Comrade Nguyen Xuan Son – Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council – requested agencies, departments, and localities to strengthen propaganda so that people are fully aware of the risks and ways to prevent the disease.

Therefore, it is crucial to strictly adhere to disease prevention regulations, especially Prime Minister's Directive 16, including wearing masks in public places, avoiding large gatherings, and temporarily suspending the operation of food and beverage services and non-essential goods...