{"id":8445,"date":"2021-07-29T13:54:28","date_gmt":"2021-07-29T05:54:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=8445"},"modified":"2021-08-03T09:23:38","modified_gmt":"2021-08-03T01:23:38","slug":"sanitary-pads-non-essential","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/sanitary-pads-non-essential\/","title":{"rendered":"Trucks Delivering Sanitary Pads & Diapers Blocked From Saigon, Goods Were Deemed Non-Essential"},"content":{"rendered":"

Trucks delivering sanitary pads & diapers deemed non-essential in Saigon<\/h2>\n
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To curtail the heavy Covid-19 outbreak, all southern Vietnamese cities have been put under the highest social distancing protocol for several weeks. Trades of all non-essential goods are banned, and citizens are to stay home at all times save for trips to stock up on groceries and medical supplies.<\/p>\n

Given the dire situation we\u2019re in currently, we agree that strict measures are necessary. The only problem is, what is deemed essential and what is not are left up to interpretation. That leads to cases where trucks carrying goods such as sanitary pads and diapers are barred<\/strong> from entering some cities, as local authorities deem them non-essential.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what is being done to deal with the issues.<\/p>\n

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Diaper and sanitary pad supply chains are being interrupted by unclear definitions saying they’re “non-essential”<\/h3>\n
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\"sanitary
\n(Photo for illustrative purposes only)<\/em>
\nImage credit: D\u00e2n Tr\u00ed<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Yesterday, Diana Unicharm \u2013 a major sanitary pads & diapers firm in Vietnam \u2013 told VNExpress<\/a> that many of its vehicles carrying the goods were turned away at security posts in several southern cities such as Saigon and couldn\u2019t reach retailers.<\/p>\n

Local authorities explained that these goods didn\u2019t fall into their list of \u201cessential goods\u201d \u2013 which each province and city has its own version of. According to VNExpress<\/a>, currently, only \u0110\u1ed3ng Nai Province considers sanitary pads and diapers essential in its guidelines.<\/p>\n

But despite what official documents claim, surely many women \u2013 particularly new moms \u2013 would vehemently argue that these goods are absolutely critical for their personal hygiene and health. If the supply chains are interrupted, there will be a shortage of sanitary pads and diapers on the market very soon, Diana Unicharm says.<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t the first time a lack of a uniform definition of \u201cessential goods\u201d has caused logistical difficulties for firms either. Last week, there were also reports of trucks delivering milk and soft drinks being interrupted on their way to sellers.<\/p>\n

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Ministry of Industry and Trade steps in with a solution<\/h3>\n
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\"sanitary
\nPhoto for illustrative purposes only<\/em>
\nImage adapted from Zing News<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, so far, Vietnam hasn\u2019t had any official legal documents determining what are \u201cessential goods\u201d. As such, it mostly comes down to each province and city to come up with its own understanding of the term.<\/p>\n

As Vietnam Government Portal<\/a> says, to deal with this issue, the Ministry has proposed a document to the Prime Minister. Rather than defining essential goods, it instead provides a list of goods and wares that are banned.<\/p>\n

If the document is approved, all goods that don\u2019t fall into the banned categories will be allowed to circulate.<\/p>\n

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Trust in our government to make the right decisions<\/h3>\n
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The Covid-19 outbreak is a major national threat that Vietnam has never faced before. It\u2019s understandable that we haven\u2019t perfected the measures to deal with all the issues it causes.<\/p>\n

Regardless, we can trust that the government is listening to the people\u2019s needs and wants, and is working hard to ensure everyone pulls through the pandemic. Perhaps there are hiccups here and there, but let\u2019s accept the inconveniences for now, and consider it as doing our parts to contribute.<\/p>\n

For more stories, check out:<\/p>\n