Multiple alternatives to “3 on-site” solutions News       16/08/2021

TTO –  After a period of implementation, associations representing labor-intensive industries such as textiles, footwear, plastics, etc., have collectively proposed new production models to replace the application of “3 on-site” production due to numerous drawbacks and the potential risk of becoming COVID-19 hotspots.

Workers at Lap Phuc Co., Ltd., District 7, Ho Chi Minh City afternoon of May 9 – Photo: QUANG DINH.

If adjustments are delayed, orders will be transferred to other countries, gradually excluding Vietnam from the global supply chain.

Various solutions for businesses to choose

According to Ms. Phan Thi Thanh Xuan, Vice Chairwoman and Secretary-General of the Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association (Lefaso), many businesses in Ho Chi Minh City and southern provinces have been vaccinated against COVID-19, with some reaching up to 80% vaccination rate. Therefore, the Ministry of Health should promptly establish criteria and develop operational plans for green zones to resume production activities.

Mr. Ho Duc Lam, Chairman of the Vietnam Plastics Association (VPA), stated that due to the inability to meet the requirements of “3 on-site” and “1 route, 2 destinations,” there is a significant risk of not being able to fulfill orders and facing cancellation by customers.

Thus, all member associations of VPA unanimously recommend that the Government does not maintain the “3 on-site” model but instead introduces additional options for businesses to choose from. Priority should be given to vaccinating the production areas, along with providing specific guidelines when there is an F0 case detected within the factory.

“Applying the principle of ‘where the infection occurs, clean it up, and continue operations.’ Placing F0 cases in isolated areas within the factory and managing them according to the same guidelines as the home quarantine for F0 cases currently implemented in Ho Chi Minh City.” – Mr. Lam proposed this innovative approach.

F1 cases need to undergo immediate PCR testing and another test after 7 consecutive days. F1 cases within the department where F0 cases are found should continue working in the department after three days of disinfection and be managed similarly to the home quarantine for F1 cases currently implemented in Ho Chi Minh City.

The production halt in the department or area exposed to F0 cases should only last for three days after disinfection. Other unrelated departments should continue their normal operations. The factory’s community health team is responsible for monitoring the situation of F0 and F1 cases and providing updates to the health authorities, following similar guidelines for caring for F0 and F1 cases at home.

“The initial organization should be carried out on a small scale, involving 50 to 100 workers. Local healthcare authorities should provide businesses with information about qualified disinfection and PCR testing service providers” – emphasized by Mr. Lam.

Ms. Pham Thi Ngoc Thuy, Executive Director of the Private Economic Development Research Office (Office IV, under the Prime Minister’s Advisory Council for Administrative Procedure Reform), emphasized the need to focus on establishing green production zones to ensure a continuous supply of goods under any circumstances.

The green production zones are not only areas with various independent green points but also interconnected green points along the supply chain, production chain, and other supporting factors such as healthcare facilities for this region, efficient communication mechanisms between safe zones, and predefined governance scenarios established by local authorities.

For example, a business that has achieved 100% vaccination coverage for its employees represents the highest level of safety in the green zone. In such cases, there should be a set of guidelines for dealing with COVID-19 similar to those for seasonal flu, allowing the focus to be shifted towards production. However, businesses must still adhere to the 5K principles when interacting with external parties.

In the event of an F0 case, it is sufficient to implement on-site isolation, as the risk of mortality is reduced when F0 individuals have been vaccinated. Alternatively, a tiered approach can be adopted based on the vaccination coverage, such as 70%, 50%, or 30% of the workforce being fully vaccinated, with corresponding guidelines provided accordingly.

Ensuring smooth trade within the supply chain is crucial for the uninterrupted operations of green production zones, as without it, these zones run the risk of becoming isolated islands.

For enterprises with sufficient resources, they can collaborate with local authorities to establish field hospitals directly within the production zones.

Medical staff conducting sample collection for workers at Nam Thai Son Import-Export Company (Ho Chi Minh City) – Photo: NHU Y

Three-stage reopening plan

Mrs. Phan Thi Thanh Xuan also emphasized that this association proposes replacing the “3 on-site production” model with a multi-stage implementation plan.

Stage 1: Enterprises will operate at no more than 30% of their normal capacity in the first two weeks. During the implementation process, if there is an infection, temporary suspension and isolation will be applied to the affected production area/department, without the need to close the entire factory. This is also in line with the government’s shift in healthcare strategy from prevention to treatment and prevention.

Stage 2: Learn from the experience of Stage 1 and gradually increase the workforce to operate at no more than 50% of normal capacity.

Stage 3: This stage will only be implemented after evaluating the lessons learned from Stage 2. Based on the assessment, the workforce will be further increased, but not exceeding 70% of normal capacity, until local authorities allow a return to normal operations.

According to Ms. Xuan, currently, businesses are awaiting approval from the relevant authorities for the aforementioned proposal put forth by Lefaso, to commence implementation from mid-August. However, the effectiveness of this solution can only be achieved when all participating businesses have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Regarding the rapid testing kits that many businesses are in need of to test their workers, Lefaso proposes that the Government grant additional import licenses as the current number of suppliers is insufficient.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nhieu-giai-phap-thay-the-3-tai-cho-20210815225959201.htm