(VOVWORLD) - HCM city, Vietnam’s current largest COVID-19 hotspot, will basically continue strict social distancing rules under Directive 16 until the end of September, municipal Vice Chairman Duong Anh Duc said Sunday night.
 Vice Chairman of the HCM city People’s Commitee Duong Anh Duc. |
While the ongoing stringent measures will be tightened in some places where the outbreak is yet to be controlled, local authorities will ease the lockdown in some districts such as Can Gio and Cu Chi, Mr. Duc elaborated.
Directive 16 requires people to stay at home and only go out for basic necessities like buying food or medicines or to work at places that are allowed to open.
HCM city Party Secretary Nguyen Van Nen said at a meeting of the municipal Party Committee on Saturday that the goal of controlling the outbreak by September 15 may not be met and the city would need more time.
Since the fourth COVID-19 wave began in Vietnam in late April, HCM city has recorded more than 298,000 infections and almost 12,000 deaths.
As of Sunday, the city had administered 7.8 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines.
The city needs more time to consider issuing the “COVID-19 green card” which allows eligible people to participate in some production and social activities, depending on the level of epidemic control, said Mr. Duc.