Thanks to the update from EuroCham Vietnam, Vietnam People’s Committee, the Steering Committee of Prevention and Control, we share some of the positive, supportive feedback we have received from Vietnam:
Business operations:
Regarding issues relating to lockdown restrictions, especially in Dong Nai province, the management of industrial zones/the People’s Committee has clarified:
– Complying with Directive 8423/UBND-VX dated 20 July 2021 by the People’s Committee, businesses are advised to follow two options: Three at sites or Green Lane (one route, two destinations). This means that businesses have the option of providing shelters to workers at their factory or by means of renting a hotel/motel if the factory facility cannot suffice.
– Due to the high increase in new cases, and the request from Government, lockdowns in Dong Nai province are expanded for another two weeks with more strict measures. Entrance or exit from local communities is limited. Hence, companies are advised to check with workers’ local communities before allowing workers to come home to avoid them coming back to infected areas. It is claimed that they have put safety first. Dong Nai Industrial Zones Authority (DIZA) has, therefore, advised companies to consider letting workers go back home in groups, instead of individually. Before their exit, workers should be tested and report to both local communities and DIZA for the purpose of tracing in case of Covid 19 positive cases.
– Furthermore, companies are allowed to recruit new workers in order to maintain their productions. However, the new entrance to DIZA should be reported and tested for the same reason above.
– Regarding the overtime working limit: The highest law applied is Clause 107, Labour Law 2019, in which the waiver for overtime working limit is not specified. Moreover, it is advisable to follow Article 3, Clause 107, of the Labour Law 2019 on overtime work. Though DIZA has taken EuroCham suggestions into consideration, it takes time to change the law.
– Regarding the travel guidelines, please follow Decision No. 2194/QĐ-BCĐ dated 27 May 2020 on Guidelines for Covid-19 Prevention and Infection Risk Assessment in Workplaces and Worker Dormitories and No. 2787/QĐ-BYT dated 5 June 2021 Promulgating Guidelines on Plans for Covid-19 Prevention and Controls in case of Covid-19 Cases in Business Establishments and Industrial Parks.
Vaccinations:
– Vaccination purchase:
DIZA was asked to execute a survey, hence a registration form was given. However, the Government in general, and Dong Nai specifically, have not accepted private purchase whereby businesses could pay for the vaccine. The current mechanism is that Government will provide vaccines to local authorities who will then provide vaccines to businesses.
In August, Dong Nai will allocate the given vaccines to businesses in the group of economic and social development, including businesses in industrial zones. Upon clear instructions, DIZA will inform all business tenants accordingly.
Due to a lack of resources, DIZA could not meet all requirements. However, DIZA has recently applied new technology which allows to them execute gathered tests. DIZA will convey companies’ requests to the local CDC to support.
– Advice from the Dong Nai Department of Health:
In case businesses are capable of providing rapid tests, it is suggested that they inform the Department of Health. Upon approval, businesses can carry out the testing themselves. On the other hand, the Department of Health is negotiating with vaccine providers to allocate to provinces as soon as possible.
It appears that, besides Dong Nai, other Southern provinces are adopting more or less the same rules.
We urge all our clients and members of Eurocham Vietnam to refer to their office if you are facing any difficulty during this time.
Source: EuroCham Vietnam