Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at a government meeting in Hanoi on April 22, 2020 (Photo: VGP)

Prime Minister Phuc made the decision at a government meeting in Hanoi to review localities’ implementation of social distancing in accordance with classification of high, medium, and low risk groups.

Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh city, Bac Ninh, and Ha Giang, which recently reported more new COVID-19 cases, no longer belong to high risk group and are now classified as in the medium-risk group.

The PM said: “Hanoi is now in medium risk group, but some areas of Hanoi will remain in the high-risk group such as the districts of Me Linh and Thuong Tin. The Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee needs to decide on how strictly high-risk localities must observe social distancing measures.”

The Prime Minister praised the Vietnamese people and authorities for abiding by instructions to avoid disease infection or transmission. He called for continued strong effort to prevent the pandemic from entering Vietnam by not relaxing a ban on foreign entry.

Prime Minister Phuc called on localities to be vigilant and accept the state of “living with epidemic.” He also stressed the need to ensure the circulation of goods, employment, and economic development.

According to the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, high risk groups must continue to comply with the rule of not gatherings of over 2 people in a place, 2 meters of distance in contact and face mask-wearing. Medium risk group should not allow gatherings of 10 people or more outside workplaces, 1 meter of distancing and face-mask put on. Low risk groups are proposed to raise the 20 people limit gathering to 30 people or more, 1 meter distancing in contact with face masks put on.