A Green Zone at Mai Dong ward, Hoang Mai district (photo: baotintuc.vn)

To prevent COVID-19 infections in residential areas, 14 wards in Hoang Mai district, Hanoi, have formed 500 Green Zones. Mai Dong ward was the first to set up 50 teams to patrol Green Zones from early morning to 10 pm. Members of the Green Zone team include the local Party Secretary and representatives of the community. The teams are responsible for controlling people entering or leaving the Green Zone to ensure the safety of the residential area.

Nguyen Xuan Phong, Vice Secretary of Hoang Mai district’s Party Committee, said: “People from outside are not allowed to enter the Green Zone. Delivery people can leave goods at a place for the guards to receive, disinfect, and deliver. People have improved their awareness of protecting the Green Zone to contain the pandemic.”

Many districts in Hanoi have replicated the Green Zone model. Community COVID-19 prevention and control teams are in charge of managing strangers and people coming in and out.

Phu Yen province in central Vietnam has pushed ahead with its vaccination campaign but is also setting up Green Zones. Tran Huu The, Chairman of the Phu Yen provincial People’s Committee said the vaccination campaign is expanding to obtain herd immunity so that people can restore their normal production and trade.

“The vaccination program has two phases. The first phase prioritizes frontline forces and high-risk individuals. The second phase will vaccinate all the people in one area to set up a Green Zone. We have mobilized all available medical staff, including retired doctors, to help with the vaccinations.” 

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, who is Head of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, has asked localities to quickly set up Green Zones, and has called on the public to help keep the Green Zones free of coronavirus. Making each residential area a Green Zone could be the key to beating this pandemic.