Push coronavirus not people away, says Vietnam's TikTok dancer

Learn six dance steps to beat the virus from Quang Dang’s viral video

Vietnamese dancer Quang Dang outside his studio in the Chinese district of Ho Chi Minh City. His video on washing hands to stop the spread of coronavirus has gone viral. Courtesy: Quang Dang

A Vietnamese music artist hopes his catchy dance moves showing viewers how to wash their hands thoroughly will help to fight coronavirus.

Quang Dang's video has gone viral after he worked with Vietnam's Health Ministry to spread a public safety message Push back the virus, Corona, Corona.

"I want to spread the right information because when people listen to the music, learn the moves, it's simple and cute so it is easier to memorise and will spread into their brain," the dancer, 30, told The National by phone from Ho Chi Minh City.

The video was shot on a pavement outside his studio in the city’s Chinese district.

Mr Quang and a fellow dancer bop to the beat of a hit Vietnamese pop song Jealous as they scrub their hands, clean their nails and warn people to stay away from crowded spaces.

He said he was hurt by news about racism against East Asians following the coronavirus outbreak that has killed more than 3,500 people.

“People are scared of other people and there is race discrimination,” Mr Quang said.

“I want people to learn with dance and I really want to tell them to stay calm. With a cool head, we can think smarter. We should fight this virus and can push it away. It’s not right to push people away.”

Thousands have joined the dance challenge on TikTok and Instagram with talk show host John Oliver mimicking the moves and describing the dance as “incredible.”

In the original animation video, released by the ministry, a green creature is slapped aside by an alert community.

Cartoon characters display the correct hand washing moves and keep their surroundings clean while belting out: “We definitely got to stay alert to stop it from spreading. We definitely got to be responsible to stop it from exploding. Wash our hands rub rub rub rub evenly. Do not touch eyes nose mouth.”

The nation has won special mention from the World Health Organisation for quick measures it has taken to curb the virus.

Vietnam shares a border with China and welcomes more than four million Chinese tourists every year.

There have been 21 coronavirus cases detected in five provinces of which 16 patients have recovered, according to Vietnam’s Ministry of Health.

Media reports quoting the health ministry said 101 suspected coronavirus cases were under quarantine in the country with 23,228 people being monitored.

The country also announced last week it had licensed commercial production of coronavirus test kits.

It  would produce up to 10,000 kits daily and could help diagnose the infection in one hour, authorities said.

The dance has fans in the Middle East too.

Dubai restaurateur Lily Hoa Nguyen, owner of Vietnamese Foodies, which has outlets in Jumeirah Lakes Towers and Downtown, said staff were practising the moves to take part in a dance contest at the restaurant.

“It is a lighthearted way to educate people because this virus spreads from surfaces and person-to-person contact,” she said.

“The more people see the video, the message to prevent will also spread quickly.”

Global coronavirus cases passed 106,000 on Sunday as governments around the world scramble to implement containment measures that include limiting travel, closing schools, and employees working from home.