HCMC shippers to resume operations in eight high-risk districts

The decision came following a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam and Ho Chi Minh City leaders Saturday afternoon to discuss shopping demands among residents as the city tightens travel curbs to contain the spread of the virus.

Under the new decision, all shippers who utilize tech apps in Thu Duc City, Districts 8, 12, Go Vap, Binh Tan, Binh Thanh, Binh Chanh and Hoc Mon will be permitted to offer delivery. Earlier, they were asked to suspend services as the city tightened travel curbs from Aug. 23.

Every day, at 5-6 a.m. shippers in the eight high-risk areas will undergo rapid Covid tests at mobile medical stations operated by the military in their wards, and should results return negative, be allowed to operate.

Shippers in the remaining 14 districts of HCMC that have continued to operate after August 23 will be tested twice a week.

Currently, there are over 12,500 shippers operating in the 14 low risk districts. The figure would increase to 25,000 after shippers in the high-risk areas are allowed to resume services.

HCMC, epicenter of Vietnam's fourth coronavirus wave since April, has recorded nearly 205,000 local Covid-19 cases in the new outbreak.

It has undergone a series of social distancing orders amid persistent coronavirus threats, and has banned people from going out starting Aug. 23. Residents would have their food, medications and other necessities delivered to their doorsteps instead by local authorities.

The government wants HCMC to bring the coronavirus situation under control by Sept. 15.