Localities across Vietnam slowly return to normal after pandemic management

People and life slowly return to their normal track, with slight differences since the pandemic

As a sign of returning to normal life, last weekend, Hanoi successfully organised entrance exams for around 93,000 students looking to enter the 10^th-grade. Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee Chu Ngoc Anh nevertheless asked people to maintain preparedness for COVID-19 prevention, helping to ensure safety and security for all.

“Hanoi may loosen some restrictions on pandemic prevention to step-by-step resume normal life for the capital’s residents,” said Chu Ngoc Anh, emphasising the determination of the city’s government to manage the health crisis while promoting socioeconomic development.

In the latest pandemic outbreak, Hanoi city centre has not been as affected as other localities, with some cases of infection popping up but the majority diagnosed in concentrated isolation areas. In total, between April 27 to June 11, the capital recorded more than 450 cases of infection, ranking third behind Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, and Ho Chi Minh City, which are still struggling to contain the pandemic.

Hanoi Department of Health director Tran Thi Nhi Ha noted last week that some people in the city will soon have access to vaccines. “Document No.8711/KH-SYT dated June 8 has been issued to receive and use COVID-19 vaccines. 91,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine will be delivered for the capital’s people,” Ha said.

The local governments shut down all food and beverage (F&B) establishments from May 25, following the closure of salons, beauty parlours, gyms, and other non-essential services like bars and dance clubs.

These services have begun to be resumed in central provinces such as Thua Thien-Hue, Danang, Haiphong, and Quang Ninh after not reporting COVID-19 infections over the last three weeks. Specifically, the Thua Thien-Hue government allowed the resumption of F&B establishments, while maintaining safety measures such as 2m distance between tables, serving at half capacity, and regularly disinfecting the establishments. Sports, education, leisure and entertainment, and tourism locations and scenic spots have also been allowed to reopen.

In Danang, the city’s public beaches, restaurants, and eateries were allowed to resume business last week. Swimming in beaches is only allowed for 2-3 hours every morning and afternoon to reduce the risk of infection, while people must wear masks and only swim in permitted areas, keeping a distance of 1m from each other.

Restaurants and eateries can serve customers but cannot exceed half their capacity and must close by 9pm. People with symptoms like fatigue, cough, fever, sore throat, and breathing difficulties, and those in mandatory home quarantine, are banned from eateries.