Hubei reports 242 deaths in just one day and 14,840 new COVID-19 cases
	2019-nCoV epidemic affects tourism and exports in Vietnam
	Qatar's Embassy "rescues" 4 tons of watermelon

Each person will receive up to one watermelon. Photo: Infonet

The farm produce had been distributed free of charge in Hanoi on February 12.

China, the first and main victim of the new coronavirus, is the world's third largest importer of Vietnamese goods, particularly agricultural products. Trade between the two countries is virtually paralyzed in order to prevent the spread of the epidemic.

The Embassy also offered free medical masks to people coming for the watermelon.

Earlier, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Hanoi also purchased four tonnes of un-consumed watermelon due to the impact of COVID-2019 outbreak and distributed free of charge to Hanoians on February 11.

The Embassies’ watermelon rescue campaign helped call on consumers to purchase watermelon and other farm products to boost domestic consumption as well as minimize the damage to the warehouses, traders and gardeners./.