Authorities in Da Nang have suggested that the Ministry of Transport restore interprovincial coach, railway, and air routes between the city and other localities in Vietnam, as the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic has been put under control.

The city is trying to effectively implement COVID-19 prevention and control measures, while at the same time developing the economy and ensuring social welfare for all citizens, Da Nang vice-chairman Le Trung Chinh said in an announcement on Saturday.

Trung requested the transport ministry to resume operations of passenger transport via roadway, railway, and airway linking Da Nang and other localities in the country.

Da Nang will thoroughly implement measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 when the above-mentioned transport routes are reopened.

From 0:00 on September 5, authorities have eased social distancing by allowing public passenger transport in the central city to operate again, but vehicles are not permitted to carry more than half of their capacity.

Authorities in Da Nang and neighboring Quang Nam Province have agreed to reopen passenger bus routes between the two localities.

They will also provide favorable conditions for vehicles carrying food, supplies, necessities, production materials, or transporting experts, workers, and managers of local factories.

The two localities agreed on measures to manage and supervise the health conditions of permanent and temporary residents.

On the same day, the Da Nang administration asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade to consider reducing utility costs for people affected by the COVID-19 epidemic since late July.

Vietnam has documented 1,049 COVID-19 cases, with 815 having recovered and 35 fatalities as of Sunday afternoon, according to Ministry of Health statistics.

A total of 551 local cases, mostly linked to Da Nang, have been registered since July 25, when the beach city reported the first domestic transmission after the nation had gone 99 days without any community-based infection.

Enhanced social distancing was previously implemented in Da Nang City from July 28 until August 11 to curb the spread of the virus. The period was extended on August 12 due to continued community transmission.

All flights and public transport into and out of were banned during this period.

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