HCMC to lock down three residential areas as infections surge

The HCMC's lockdown is imposed on residential areas No. 2, 3 and 4 of An Lac Ward, Binh Tan District.

The decision was made by HCMC Vice Chairman Duong Anh Duc on Saturday afternoon after the area recorded 127 domestic infections. The ward hosts the Ehome residential building on Ho Hoc Lam Street, the current biggest outbreak in the district with at least 69 infections.

The lockdown would affect the operations of 306 enterprises and four state-run administrative centers, local authorities said.

District authorities will deploy 22 checkpoints along roads and alleys in and out of the blocked areas. Convenience stores in the blockade are still allowed to operate to provide essential goods to residents.

However, vehicles entering and leaving the locked down areas are only allowed to carry goods and must be disinfected.

Binh Tan District now has the city's highest number of infections with 193 community transmissions. A company of 791 employees at Tan Tao Industrial Park in the district has recorded at least 26 infections.

HCMC's neighbor Binh Duong Province has imposed a 21-day lockdown starting Sunday on Tan Phuoc Khanh Ward in Tan Uyen Town, after the ward, home to around 50,000 people, recorded 38 infections.

All non-essential activities will be suspended. Businesses are only allowed to open for sale of necessities. People are requested to stay at home and only go out when it's really necessary, according to the lockdown decision.