Traders entering the fishing port in Cua Lo town must have a negative Covid-19 test.

These past days,Cua Lo Towncontinuously recorded Covid-19 infections, in which, on November 13 and 14, there were 2 consecutive Covid-19 infections in the community, fishmongers, residing in block 4 and block 6, Nghi Tan ward. These are all complicated infections, having been in contact with many people in the past time.

Cua Lo Town organized testing for more than 800 traders and regular workers at Nghi Thuy fishing port. Photo: QA

Mr. Hoang Thanh Son - Chairman of the People's CommitteeNghi Tan ward, TX. Cua Lo said: "According to epidemiological investigation, these 2 Covid - 19 infected cases are sisters, fish traders at Quan market, Nghi Hoa commune, Nghi Loc district. The locality has blocked the living areas of the patients and at the same time deployed to take samples for testing of more than 2,000 people in 2 blocks on November 14. The worrying thing is that according to the declaration, these 2 infected cases often go to Nghi Thuy fishing port to import goods, so the risk of spreading the epidemic in the community is still present".

According to research, in Cua Lo town there are 3 fishing ports, of which 2 are large ports: Nghi Thuy and Cua Hoi. Every time a boat arrives at the port, a large number of traders, workers, and crew members gather, sometimes up to 1,000 people. Therefore, the fact that 2 cases of Covid-19 infection in the community went to the fishing port to get goods poses a great risk of spreading the epidemic.

Nghi Thuy ward authorities check vehicles entering and leaving the fishing wharf at dawn. Photo: QA

Although there have been cases of Covid-19 infection, to ensure the livelihood of fishermen and traders, and to meet the market's food needs, the fishing port must continue to operate and cannot be locked down like residential areas. Instead, epidemic prevention measures at Nghi Thuy fishing port have been strengthened and strictly implemented.

Accordingly, from 3:00 a.m. every day, the working group ofNghi Thuy wardincluding police, militia, commune officials, youth union members... were present at 2 checkpoints to control people coming in and out. Each shift lasted until about 8-9 am when the fishing port was empty.

All traders and workers entering the fishing port must undergo all medical checks including body temperature measurement, disinfection, wearing masks, health declaration... In addition, when the boat returns to the port, crowding and gathering of people to buy goods must be minimized.

Mr. Hoang Minh Chinh - Vice Chairman of Nghi Thuy Ward People's Committee said: "In addition to the above epidemic prevention steps, people entering the fishing port must also present a negative Covid-19 test certificate valid for 5 days. This is a new epidemic prevention measure that has been applied and is required for people to implement to prevent the epidemic from entering.

After receiving information that a Covid-19 patient had entered the port, on the afternoon of November 13, we also conducted Covid-19 tests for all traders and people working regularly at Nghi Thuy fishing port, a total of 830 people. The initial results were negative and we are continuing to monitor them."

Nghi Thuy fishing port has two checkpoints to strictly control people entering and leaving from 3am to 9am every day. Photo: QA

In addition, Quan market, Nghi Hoa commune, Nghi Loc district - where 2 traders infected with Covid - 19 in Cua Lo town often come to sell fish, has also temporarily stopped operating to prevent the epidemic.

Nghi Hoa Commune authorities said: Quan Market is the only market in the commune, with over 150 traders. However, the 2 Covid-19 infected cases selling fish at the market are itinerant traders, and the frequency of going to the market to buy and sell is erratic and very difficult to control. According to statistics, every day there are about 10-20 traders from Cua Lo Town going to Quan Market to sell seafood in the morning. Nghi Hoa Commune has also traced these traders and coordinated with other localities to isolate and monitor them promptly.