Shortly after two workers at Samsung Electronics Vietnam (SEV) were confirmed positive for SARS-CoV-2, authorities in Vietnam’s northern province of Bac Ninh took tests for coronavirus on May 11 night.

Testing Covid-19 at Samsung Electronics Vietnam. Photo: Nhan Dan

Chairman of the Bac Ninh People’s Committee Nguyen Huong Giang told local media that testing was taken for the whole night.

Testing was carried out on people in both direct and indirect contact with the confirmed workers who are all linked to a Covid-19 hotspot in Thuan Thanh District, Bac Ninh.

However, as the infected workers stayed home since the resurgence of Covid-19 outbreaks, risk of transmission within SEV remain low.

During the night, Bac Ninh’s police conducted contact tracing while health authorities are responsible for testing.

According to Bac Ninh Department of Health, the province has reported 123 Covid-19 cases in six out of eight districts.

SEV plant is located in Yen Phong District, Bac Ninh, costing an investment of US$2.5 billion. It employs approximately 40,000 workers.

In a meeting with Vietnam’s PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc in August 2020, Samsung Vietnam’s CEO Choi Joo Ho said Covid-19 didn’t affect its production and the export targets had been maintained.

In 2019, Samsung Vietnam and its affiliates earned total export values of US$59 billion, contributing 22% to Vietnam’s total exports.

Half of Samsung’s mobile phones and tablets are made in Vietnam.