Authorities have said the Japanese optical imaging firm’s factory can resume operations on May 24 on condition it abides by Covid-19 prevention regulations. The factory in Que Vo District, where Covid-19 outbreaks have been recorded, had to shut on May 9 after some of its workers tested positive.

Vuong Quoc Tuan, deputy chairman of the province People's Committee, said Bac Ninh would support businesses, especially foreign-owned, as much as possible for them to keep functioning amid the Covid crisis.

Asked about complaints by businesses that vehicles transporting materials, workers and experts have difficulty passing through Covid checkpoints, he said the People's Committee has instructed relevant authorities to allow them to pass through and to enter areas like Yen Phong and Thuan Thanh districts and the province's Bac Ninh Town where social distancing is in place.

In the case of vehicles bringing goods, agricultural products, electrical components, and other materials from industrial parks in Bac Giang, there must be only one driver and they must have tested negative for Covid and show no symptoms, he added.

Bac Giang and Bac Ninh, neighboring provinces, have been experiencing waves of Covid infections. Bac Giang has reported 683 cases and Bac Ninh, 378, the highest in the country, following outbreaks at several large industrial parks with thousands of workers.

The country has had 1,786 cases in 30 cities and provinces since late last month, when the latest wave began.