To date Ho Chi Minh City has successfully carried out novel coronavirus (COVID-19) screening tests for 5,352 staff working in the southern city’s industrial parks and export processing zones, of which 4,289 samples have subsequently come back negative, with the remaining 1,063 samples waiting for their results.

These screening tests have been in the process of being deployed to workers in the southern metropolis since April 10. 

Le Thanh Liem, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, said that the use of COVID-19 screening tests for labourers who work in high-density conditions is aimed at detecting cases of infection as early as possible. If a positive COVID-19 case is found, the individual can be quarantined in a timely manner in order to prevent the spread of the disease among the wider community. 

Ho Chi Minh City plans to conduct COVID-19 screening tests for passengers arriving at domestic terminals at the city’s airport, Saigon railway station, in addition to production establishments that have a high density of workers, along with individuals who are in high-risk groups, Liem noted.