Businesses maintain stable production amid impact of COVID-19 epidemic

Whilst simultaneously promoting an image of being a safe travel destination, the central province of Quang Nam along with Da Nang city have been focusing on maintaining stable production activities.

At present, Quang Nam province is home to over 100 industrial garment enterprises that employ more than 30,000 labourers. These businesses have grossed an export turnover that makes up over 30 per cent of the province’s total export revenue.

Due to the adverse effects caused by the COVID-19 epidemic, the garment and textile industry is facing numerous challenges although several firms had previously conducted training for workers regarding preventive steps against the disease.

These measures include asking workers to don anti-bacterial face masks and measuring the body temperature of staff upon their arrival for work.

Many companies whose managers are either Taiwanese or Chinese have been forced to put any labourers who have recently arrived in the country from epidemic areas into quarantine in line with regulations.

Moreover, upon their return to work, all workers are required to wear masks and regularly wash their hands with soap or hand sanitiser.

Currently, the COVID-19 epidemic is causing a serious impact on enterprises that import raw materials from China or on companies that export to the northern neighbour.

A number of businesses have begun to shift their import of raw materials from other ASEAN member states as opposed to China, while export activities have also been redirected to Europe and other nations.

At present, the central coastal city of Da Nang is home to six industrial parks, including one high-tech park that hosts 53 businesses which employ Chinese workers. Nguyen Van An, deputy director of Da Nang City's Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs,

said 19 Chinese people have recently returned to work in Da Nang following the Lunar New Year, of which 10 people work in industrial zones.

As a means of ensuring the safety of workers, the Department has co-ordinated efforts with the Management Board of industrial parks to request that enterprises which receive Chinese engineers and workers move to put them into quarantine in line with regulations set out by the health sector.

Following a period of 14 days in isolation, these people are permitted to return to work.

An said all businesses have so far stabilised their production activities, adding that the total number of Chinese workers under monitoring has reached 201.