The People’s Committee of Da Nang on Sunday forwarded a proposal to the prime minister on allowing citizens of other localities, who have been stranded in the central city due to its implementation of travel restrictions and enhanced social distancing since late July, to return to their hometowns.

According to the proposal, a large number of people who came to Da Nang for work, study or visiting relatives now wish to return to their hometowns.

Da Nang suggested the prime minister direct the provincial and municipal People’s Committees of these localities to collaborate with the central city in organizing the return of the stranded citizens while ensuring COVID-19 prevention and control.

The city also requested the Ministry of Transport to arrange special trains to bring these citizens home.

In a move to assist the homecoming, the Da Nang Department of Construction has requested investors, contractors, and managers at construction sites that have been temporarily suspended to create favorable conditions for their out-of-city workers to return home.

Letting the workers remain at the construction sites is not allowed, the department added.

Da Nang started enforcing enhanced social distancing across the city on July 28, after it recorded the country’s first community transmission after 99 days on July 25.

The implementation of the safety measures has been extended indefinitely from August 12 due to continued community transmission.

Officials have banned public gatherings of more than two people, shut down non-essential services, required citizens to wear face masks whenever outdoors, and asked them to stay at home unless it is an essential trip while maintaining a two-meter distance in all social interactions.

All means of transportation to and from the beach city have also been suspended, except for deliveries of supplies such as food, necessities, and raw materials and goods to serve production.

The requirements also make an exception for special cases of official duty; vehicles carrying patients or people who have finished the mandatory quarantine, or workers and experts of enterprises; and vehicles that serve the pandemic prevention and control works.

Between August 12 and 14, six flights were operated by national carrier Vietnam Airlines and budget airline Vietjet Air to evacuate nearly 1,700 tourists stranded in Da Nang.

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