Ho Chi Minh City halts operations of companies at big export processing zone

The EPZ currently houses 250 companies with about 60,000 workers

Ho Chi Minh City halts operations of companies at big export processing zone
An aerial view of Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

Authorities in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday requested the suspension of 29 out of 250 companies at Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone for medical isolation over suspected coronavirus infections.

The request came after the district’s medical center had announced the COVID-19 testing results of a number of workers at Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone were positive.

The facility currently houses 250 companies with about 60,000 workers.

Previously, two companies, which employ nearly 2,000 workers at the zone, had suspended operations for pandemic prevention for 15 days, starting July 9.

From July 6, the steering committee for COVID-19 prevention and control in District 7 has fenced off Tan Thuan Dong Ward and parts of Tan Thuan Tay and Binh Thuan Ward, excluding Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone, for medical isolation.

The Ministry of Health on Monday morning confirmed 662 new COVID-19 cases, including 544 infections in Ho Chi Minh City.

The city has constantly documented the largest daily increase in the country over the past weeks.

Vietnam has been battling a new outbreak with 26,981 local infections recorded in 58 out of 63 provinces and cities since April 27.

Ho Chi Minh City is taking the lead with 13,556 cases, followed by Bac Giang Province with 5,714 patients, Bac Ninh Province with 1,663, Binh Duong Province with 1,500, and Dong Thap Province with 578.

The country has confirmed an accumulation of 30,478 infections, including 28,551 community cases, since the pathogen first hit it early last year, according to the health ministry’s data.

Recoveries have risen to 9,275, including 71 announced on Sunday, whereas the death toll has reached 119.

tuoitrenews.vn

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