Hanoi (VNA) – Authorities in thecentral province of Quang Ngai and southern province of Kien Giang have closedtourist attractions in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both provinces have asked attractions, museums,community-based tourism spots and amusement parks to stop receiving visitorsuntil further notice.

Facilities offering accommodation servicesmust not conduct any act of discrimination against or refuse to serve foreigntourists, while taking measures for COVID-19 prevention and control.

The Quang Ngai People’s Committee previouslydecided not to receive domestic and foreign tourists on Ly Son island fromMarch 9 in an attempt to curb the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Similarly, Kien Giang province suspended visitorsfrom the island districts of Ha Tien city, Kien Luong and Kien Hai and Tho Chaucommune on Phu Quoc island district from March 21.

Starting from 10am on March 20, the provincehalted transport for foreigners entering Vietnam without certificates to showthey had not contracted COVID-19 to and from Phu Quoc island.

The province also asked food and beveragebusinesses and retailers to ensure safety regulations in line with guidance fromthe Ministry of Health.

Local people are requested to refrain from arrangingactivities which may attract crowds of more than 50 participants, and from leavinghome.

Kien Giang is revising the accurate numberof foreign tourists in the province.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’sCommittee Do Thanh Binh said as of March 20, the province had reported no casesof COVID-19.

However, a number of passengers on recentflights bound for Phu Quoc had boarded the same flights with confirmed COVID-19patients, making it more difficult for the province to control the disease, henoted./.