Chemicals are sprayed in the Old Quarter of Hội An. Tours have been suspended on March 12-31. — VNS Photo Thanh Vũ

HỘI AN — The ancient city of Hội An began spraying chemicals to sterilise relics and destinations in the Old Quarter, closing the pedestrian street and all bars in Minh An ward until March 31.

Vice chairman of Hội An People's Committee, Nguyễn Văn Sơn said the city suspended ticket sales for the Old Quarter, night market and pedestrian street at night as well as major destinations including Thanh Hà pottery village, Trà Quế vegetable garden and Cẩm Thanh nipa palm.

Sơn said sterilisation and cleaning will be continued to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

He said the city suffered a 50 per cent loss in tourism due to COVID-19.

According to the city’s culture and sports centre, the city used to host at least 10,000 visitors each night, but the number sharply decreased by 90 per cent.

Earlier, Chàm Islands were also closed to all boat trips from the mainland, with only cargo boats and emergency trips allowed.

The Quảng Nam provincial tourism association said all booked tours from China and South Korea to Hội An and Chàm Islands were cancelled, while 60 per cent of air travel bookings from European and American markets to Việt Nam via Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea were also postponed.

A worker sprays chemicals at the Japanese Bridge -- a destination in Hội An. The UNESCO-recognised world heritage site suspended all tours and ticket sales for the Old Quarter from March 12-31. — VNS Photo Thanh Vũ

Two British tourists – who were on the same flight with the 17th COVID-19 patient on March 2, tested positive for COVID-19 at two hotels in Hội An on Wednesday. The two patients were then taken to Huế City’s Central Hospital in neighbouring Thừa Thiên - Huế Province for further treatment.

A group of 33 tourists – who were on the same flight VN0054 – and seven others on a trip to Hội An – have been isolated in Hội An. They tested negative for COVID-19, but will be isolated for 14 days. — VNS

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