A public park on the Hương (Perfurme) River. The central province of Thừa Thiên-Huế has postponed all performances and tour services due to COVID-19. VNS Photo Công Thành 

BẮC GIANG — Provinces across the country have decided to close tourist attractions to stem the spread of coronavirus.

Bắc Giang Province has closed its doors at tourist sites and ordered a temporary closure of entertainment venues.

Affected venues include cinemas, bars, karaoke, sauna and massage parlors and gaming services.

The provincial People's Committee has also instructed organisations and individuals to seriously implement regulations to prevent COVID-19 at wedding ceremonies, funeral and rituals.

Head of the provincial steering committee for COVID-19 prevention and control, Lê Ánh Dương, also ordered the Department of Transport to temporarily halt all car and motorbike driving tests in the province.

In order to keep people safe from COVID-19 and limit the spread of the epidemic in the community, the executive board of Hà Nội Book Street announced it was closing until the end of March.

Kim Đồng Publishing House, Phương Nam Bookstore, Nhã Nam Culture and Media Joint Stock Company have informed readers about the temporary suspension, while online sales have increased.

In Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Province, the local government announced it was closing Côn Đảo Island from today.

The island's People’s Committee has been instructed to inform travel companies.

Local people have been advised to avoid non-essential travel to and from the island, and submit truthful health declarations.

People who fail to comply with the rules will be strictly punished.

About 3,000 domestic and foreign tourists visit Côn Đảo Island every day.

Similarly, Kiên Giang Province has suspended visitors from the island districts of Hà Tiên City, Kiên Lương and Kiên Hải and Thổ Châu communes on Phú Quốc since March 21.
Starting from 10am on March 20, the province halted transport for foreigners entering Việt Nam without certificates to show they had not contracted COVID-19 to and from Phú Quốc Island.
The province also asked food and beverage businesses and retailers to ensure safety regulations in line with guidance from the Ministry of Health.
Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Đỗ Thanh Bình said as of March 20, the province had reported no cases of COVID-19.
In Thừa Thiên-Huế province, local authorities have postponed performances of Huế folk singing and boat trips.

The central city of Đà Nẵng has also cancelled displays on Rồng Bridge on Saturday and Sunday nights. The bridge, in the shape of a dragon, spits fire and water during the weekends to attract tourists. 

Museums, pagodas, temples, karaoke bars, music performances at cafés and public sites have also been banned in Quảng Nam and Quảng Ngãi. — VNS