Hanoi discards travel paper requirements in low-risk areas

Le Hong Son, deputy permanent chairman of Hanoi People's Committee, said travel document requirements would be adjusted as the capital relaxes coronavirus restrictions. Specifically, people traveling within 19 low-risk districts that have now entered the "new normal" as dictated by the municipal Department of Health would not need to show travel documents while going out.

The 19 districts that would see the new decision being applied are Ba Dinh, Ba Vi, Bac Tu Liem, Cau Giay, Dan Phuong, Gia Lam, Hoai Duc, Long Bien, Me Linh, My Duc, Nam Tu Liem, Phu Xuyen, Phuc Tho, Quoc Oai, Soc Son, Son Tay, Tay Ho, Thanh Oai and Ung Hoa.

But people in high-risk areas would still need to abide by coronavirus restrictions as dictated by Directive 16, meaning they are only allowed to go out for essential reasons and must show travel papers when doing so.

Traveling between low-risk and high-risk areas, in principle, would require the necessary documents from those leaving a high-risk area to enter a low-risk one, said Son.

"Depending on different situations, districts would specify requirements," he added.

In future, Hanoi would gradually remove Covid-19 checkpoints in the city, leaving only those at the boundaries between different areas.

Checkpoints erected in low-risk areas, managed by residents, would also be gradually removed depending on how the pandemic progresses. They might need to be reinstated if the coronavirus situation changes.

"The most important thing is managing traffic flow between different areas, while high-risk areas in particular must still be socially distanced and strictly monitored," said Son.

Hanoi Party Committee is expected to discuss concrete plans on how to relax coronavirus restrictions in the capital Thursday, Son said. Restrictions are expected to be lifted gradually, not all at once, he added.

A total 23 Covid-19 checkpoints at the entrances of Hanoi would still be maintained, along with downtown checkpoints and mobile units, capital police said Thursday. These checkpoints would still require travel documents from people going outside.

Vu Van Vien, director of the municipal Department of Transport, said it has proposed letting shippers operate in districts that allow food takeaways. Right now, shippers are only allowed to operate between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Previously on Wednesday, Hanoi announced it would allow the 19 low-risk districts without new Covid-19 community transmission cases since Sept. 6 to reopen food and beverage establishments, repair shops and other businesses from Thursday noon.

However, only food takeaways are allowed, and food establishments must be closed before 9 p.m. every day.