HCMC extends social distancing by two weeks

Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong has decided to extend imposition of social distancing rules in accordance with the Prime Minister’s Directive No. 16 by another two weeks, starting from August 2.

The southern metropolis was placed under social distancing from May 31 in line with the Prime Minister’s Directive No. 15 and started to impose stricter social distancing rules in accordance with the Directive No. 16 since July 9.

The latest move was made one day after Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh allowed 19 southern localities to prolong social distancing for a forthnight.

Chairman Nguyen tasked subordinate authorities to enforce preventive measures more drastically and effectively.

Residents are not allowed to leave the city until the social distancing period is over, except for cases agreed upon by the city and other localities.

Nguyen asked districts and Thu Duc city to accelerate vaccination process, ensure food supply to all poor and unemployed people and residents in lockdown areas.

Citizens are asked to stay at home and only go out if really necessary and strictly comply with the Ministry of Health’s 5K message: "Khau trang" (face mask) - "Khu khuan" (disinfection) - "Khoang cach" (distance) - "Khong tu tap" (no gathering) - "Khai bao y te" (health declaration).

Ho Chi Minh City is now the epicenter of Viet Nam’s fourth COVID-19 wave with 91,989 community infection cases, including 34,639 recoveries and 989 deaths.

The city’s COVID-19 caseload accounts for more than 61 percent of the national patient tally (150,060).