How to remove delay in freight transport due to the Covid-19 pandemic?

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Transport businesses are very upset about the different ways of understanding and applying the value of rapid tests to be recognized as PCR. Photo: Internet.

Inflexible regulations make it difficult for businesses

Speaking at the seminar: "How to remove the delay in freight transport due to the Covid-19 pandemic" held by the Traffic Newspaper on July 26, Mr. Tran Duc Nghia, Member of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Logistics Service Enterprises Association, said that we are in a state of exhaustion, more than a year of being affected by the pandemic, revenue declines and costs increase. For example, a company with 150 drivers, currently has to pay more than VND300 million in testing fees every month. This is a high cost.

"For example, in Quang Ninh, I don't understand why when entering the border gate area, drivers have to test for Covid-19, while starting in the province, they have to do a PCR test," added Mr. Tran Duc Nghia.

According to Mr. Nghia, the inconsistency is reflected in the application of transport regulations on national highways by localities. In Hai Duong, when the 3rd wave of the pandemic broke out, the Provincial People's Committee closed National Highways 18 and 52. Meanwhile, in the fourth wave, Bac Ninh and Bac Giang maintained the transportation of goods on National Highway 1A and 18, although the situation is much more serious.

You can see the difference between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. While National Highway 1A through Ho Chi Minh City was not closed when applying Directive 16, National Highway 1A was closed in Hanoi to lock down the area.

In addition, the difference in pandemic prevention regulations is related to the time limit and the way to take tests of drivers. When changing or imposing regulations, most localities tend to apply them very quickly, causing confusion for businesses.

For example, in Hai Phong from July 18 to 20, three gateways to Hai Phong were severely congested by applying stamping for vehicles and tests while other provinces have not yet applied them. The business cannot update the information. This damages the business. Our association estimates that this situation has caused at least VND100 billion in damages per day

Create good conditions for goods circulation

Regarding different regulations on test papers and deadlines, according to Ms. Phan Thi Thu Hien, Deputy Director of the General Department of Roads of Vietnam, the view of the Ministry of Transport is to drastically implement the prevention and control of the Covid-19 pandemic but not break the supply chain. In fact, there are localities with different regulations on test papers and deadlines for drivers. There are localities that only apply PCR tests, some localities allow both types. Currently, the Ministry of Health stipulates that test papers are valid for 72 hours, but some localities have shorter period than the regulations.

"Solving this problem, we have discussed and agreed on solutions to the above problems to transport goods during the pandemic," said Ms. Phan Thi Thu Hien.

Commenting on this issue, Mr. Tran Thanh Hai, Deputy Director of the Import-Export Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade said that it can be seen that there are differences between localities in applying pandemic prevention and control measures, thus causing frustration for business.

According to Mr. Tran Thanh Hai, businesses are very upset about the different ways of understanding and applying the value of rapid test sto be recognized as PCR or not. How is the validity period of the test types when the locality only applies 1-2 days, while there are localities from 7-10 days. It is worth mentioning that in the current context, it is very difficult to get a test certificate, especially in localities where there are not enough conditions.

“Therefore, the Ministry of Health and the National Steering Committee should have unified guidelines immediately, avoiding the situation that each locality applies a different style, contributing to creating stability and better circulation of goods. Regarding essential goods, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has sent an official dispatch to the localities to unify the interpretation. Previously, the Government Office issued an official dispatch, which stated a list of specific essential goods. However, these are just some of the goods that can be listed, in fact, depending on the local situation, to avoid unreasonable obstruction of circulation. It’s necessary to have the participation of local ministries and sectors to ensure anti-pandemic work, but also on the basis of scientific analysis and calculation to realize the dual goals set by the Government," said Mr. Tran Thanh Hai.