Ho Chi Minh City adopts higher level of social distancing measures

July 08, 2021 | 10:50

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Amidst the unprecedented surge of coronavirus infections, Ho Chi Minh City has decided to raise the level of its pandemic prevention measures by imposing 15 days of social distancing in accordacne with the government's Directive No.16/CT-TTg.

Ho Chi Minh City adopts higher level of social distancing measures

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest hotspot of the pandemic in Vietnam

The decision was announced at an urgent meeting on COVID-19 response yesterday. Speaking at the meeting, Nguyen Thanh Phong, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee said that, "The city is going through a real war. We must accept sacrificing short-term benefits to prevent and control the pandemic. Therefore, the city must raise the level of pandemic prevention and control measures."

"The city applies the government's Directive No. 16/CT-TTg for 15 days, starting from 0:00 on July 9," Phong announced.

Over the past month, the municipal city has extended social distancing measures four times in line with Directive No.15/CT-TTg, which bans gatherings of more than five people in public as well as events and meetings with more than 20 people in a single room. Non-essential services have been shut down, along with entertainment, cultural, and sports activities in public.

However, the city continues to detect a large number of infections in the community each day. As of present, Ho Chi Minh City has become the country's largest pandemic hotspot.

Thus, the city has adopted Directive 16 with higher level of social distancing, requiring people to stay at home and only go out if really necessary. The directive bans the gathering of more than two people outside public offices, schools, hospitals, and public places.

"I hope people will support and sympathise when the city applies large-scale distancing and isolation measures. If organisations implement it seriously and drastically, the pandemic will be contained soon," Phong added.

By Thanh Van

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