The majority of businesses, 353 out of 556 in industrial parks and manufacturing zones, have chosen to continue operations by keeping its workers within the factories to reduce contagion as ordered by city authorities, according to the proposal by Ho Chi Minh City Business Association.

However, due to limited space, companies have to pay for hotels and transportation to transport workers daily, it said.

Automation company Datalogic, for example, has 150 employees living in its factories and 150 others in five hotels. Electronics manufacturer Intel and Jabil Vietnam each sent 1,000 workers to different hotels in District 1, 9 and Phu Nhuan. Hearing instrument manufacturer Sonion Vietnam also has 430 workers in District 1 hotels.

Businesses are facing many difficulties, and expect local authorities to let them borrow or hire state-owned facilities to host workers, the association said.

It added the city should also relax regulations on the transporting of goods. Airports and seaports are currently only allowed to import and export goods from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m., which is not suitable for businesses and the logistics industry.

Vehicles carrying goods or workers should be identified by stickers to be prioritized at checkpoints, it added.

HCMC is the current Covid-19 epicenter of the country with over 22,500 cases confirmed since April 27.