11:03, 30/03/2020

Useful information channel in Nha Trang

The grass roots radio systems in Nha Trang City have been performing well its roles in disseminating useful information about coronavirus pandemic. The sirens installed throughout the localities have updated people on information and health recommendations relating to COVID-19 prevention and control measures.

The grass roots radio systems in Nha Trang City have been performing well its roles in disseminating useful information about coronavirus pandemic. The sirens installed throughout the localities have updated people on information and health recommendations relating to COVID-19 prevention and control measures. “I often listen to information about Covid-19 disease via the sirens near my house. Thanks to the updated information, I know the symptoms of the disease; preventive measures; situations of the pandemic in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa and nationwide; as well as health recommendations in order to protect myself and my family,” said Ngo Khanh Uyen in Ngoc Hiep Ward, Nha Trang.
 
There are 497 groups of sirens being installed in 27 wards and communes over Nha Trang. News is transmitted two times every day through grass roots sirens from 6:30am to 7am and from 4:30pm to 5pm. Each broadcast includes 15-minute program produced by Nha Trang Radio and 15-minute program made by wards and communes. 
 
 
Nha Trang Radio staff preparing for a broadcast
Nha Trang Radio staff preparing for a broadcast
 
As reported by Nha Trang City Center of Culture, Information and Sports Deputy Director Nguyen Duc Cuong, in recent 3 months, the center has spent 40% of daily broadcast time to disseminate information about COVID-19. The center has focused on providing the public with directives and instructions of the Government, province, and city; situations and COVID-19 responses in localities; and health recommendations to prevent the disease.
 
Apart from spending much time on spreading useful news about COVID-19 pandemic, Nha Trang Radio has re-arranged its programs to incorporate other aspects relating to the pandemic into the programs. For example, the radio’s law program carries regulations on speculation and hoarding of goods and mandatory quarantine, etc. The ward’s and communes’ radio systems also broadcast bulletins under direction of the city Center of Culture and Information. The Ministry of Health’s instructions on COVID-19 prevention and control measures are repetitively broadcast every day so that the public can be fully aware of the situation and measures, such as wearing masks in public places, practicing social distancing, cleaning house, and declaring health conditions. Over nearly three months, the wards and communes have made 579 broadcasts relating to COVID-19 through sirens. 
 
The updated information broadcast regularly at fixed time via grass roots sirens throughout the localities has helped to boost public’s awareness of coronavirus. Thanks to that, locals have taken proactive measures and obeyed instructions and recommendations more strictly. Reportedly, in the upcoming time, the city Center of Culture and Information will propose the city People’s Committee continue to direct the localities to raise localities’ responsibilities and to keep focusing on dissemination of COVID-19 through grass roots radios.  
 
 
Giang Đinh
Translated by H.N