HCMC streets packed as Covid restrictions approach

By Dinh Van, Quynh Tran August 21, 2021 | 12:00 am PT

Ho Chi Minh City’s streets are packed with vehicles after authorities announced a tightening of coronavirus restriction from August 23.

On Friday afternoon, after the local government said it will require residents to stay where they are, isolating homes from homes, streets from streets and wards from wards starting next week, many people, including delivery workers, travel on the streets.Specific details about who are allowed to go out as well as how people can access food and other essentials will be announced once the plan is completed, said Phan Nguyen Nhu Khue, head of the Propaganda Department of the municipal Party Committee.In the photo, Hoang Hoa Tham overpass in Tan Binh District, connecting the city center and Tan Son Nhat International Airport, sees many vehicles passing by.

On Friday afternoon, after the local government said it would require people to "stay where they are" to isolate homes from homes, streets from streets and wards from wards, many, including delivery workers, are out on the streets.
Details about who would be allowed to go out and how people can get food and other essentials would be announced once the plan is ready, Phan Nguyen Nhu Khue, head of the city Party Committee’s propaganda department, said.
In the photo, Hoang Hoa Tham overpass in Tan Binh District near Tan Son Nhat International Airport, is crowded with vehicles.

Cars and trucks on Pham Van Dong Street. The city of 13 million has undergone a series of social distancing orders, with the latest one being extended until September 15. People are also banned from going out between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. the next day, except for certain cases like medical emergencies. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Friday said that the military will coordinate with local authorities and other agencies to ensure food supply for HCMC residents during its social distancing period.

Cars and trucks on Pham Van Dong Street. The city of 13 million has had a series of social distancing mandates, with the latest one in place until September 15. People are also banned from going out between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., except for certain reasons like medical emergencies.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said Friday that the military would coordinate with local authorities to ensure there is adequate food supply in the city amid social distancing.

The overpass on Nguyen Kiem and Nguyen Thai Son streets is also packed with people traveling from the city center to Go Vap District. There are three Covid-19 checkpoints in this area.

At a checkpoint located near Phu Nhuan crossroad, a dozen of policemen check approved documents of travelers, causing congestion. A policeman told VnExpress that since Friday noon, more people have traveled through the checkpoint, with most of them having vald reasons.

At a checkpoint near the Phu Nhuan crossroads, a dozen police officers check documents, causing congestion. One of them told VnExpress that since noon Friday an increasing number of people have been arriving, most of them with valid reasons.
According to local officials, the streets are crowded because many people are going to get vaccinated, others in certain jobs are allowed to go out to supply essential goods or work on infrastructure maintenance.

The afternoon rain cannot prevent Saigonese from going out. The photo is taken near Lang Cha Ca overpass.

Rain cannot prevent Saigonese from going out. The photo shows the Lang Cha Ca overpass.

Nguyen Van Troi and Hoang Van Thu crossroad is crowded after the local authorities remove a Covid checkpoint due to the rain.

The Nguyen Van Troi and Hoang Van Thu junction is crowded after authorities removed a Covid checkpoint due to the rain.

Many people travel on Ba Thang Hai Street in District 10 in late afternoon.

Many people travel on Ba Thang Hai Street in District 10 late in the afternoon.

A Covid checkpoint on Calmette Bridge, connecting District 1 and 4.

A Covid checkpoint on Calmette Bridge between Districts 1 and 4.

Many supermarkets are packed with shoppers.HCMC, epicenter of Vietnams fourth coronavirus wave, has so far recorded 167,717 local cases and 5,939 deaths. The government wants the southern metro to put the coronavirus situation under control by September 15.

Many supermarkets are packed with shoppers.
HCMC, epicenter of the fourth Covid wave, has so far had 167,717 cases and 5,939 deaths.
The government wants the southern metro to bring the outbreak under control by September 15.