The provinces of Khanh Hoa and Quang Binh have temporarily halted activities welcoming visitors to tourist attractions in an attempt to protect the health and safety of both local residents and tourists amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) fears.

Ponagar Tower in Khanh Hoa province 

The move comes following the Khanh Hoa provincial Department of Culture and Sports requesting that as of March 19, all activities to welcome guests to relic sites, including notable sites such as Ponagar Tower, Hon Chong, and Am Chua, will be stopped.

In addition, the Monuments Conservation Centre has requested that provinces and cities nationwide do not press ahead with plans to organise worship rituals involving the offering of incense at Ponagar Tower and the Am Chua relic site, whilst all guests to these places are now required to wear face masks during their visit.

Amid an increasingly complicated situation regarding COVID-19 epidemic, the central province of Quang Binh has also temporarily halted travelers visiting tourist sites.

During the suspension period, each of the tourist sites will undertake a range of drastic preventive measures aimed at combating the potential spread of the epidemic.

According to Nguyen Duc Cuong, Director of the Quang Binh Department of Health,  local authorities have applied mandatory actions to  intensify surveillance over the disease in line with the procedures regulated by the health sector.

So far, the province has yet to record any cases of the COVID-19 infection.