11 southern provinces apply night-time restrictions

The travel ban will be effective from Wednesday in the industrial provinces Binh Duong and Dong Nai that border HCMC, and the nearby Binh Phuoc Province. The order came as Binh Duong has recorded more than 8,900 infections in the new wave, Dong Nai more than 2,700 and Binh Phuoc 133.

In the Mekong Delta, a similar ban is effective from Tuesday in An Giang, Hau Giang, Long An, Tien Giang, and Vinh Long Provinces, and from Wednesday in Ben Tre and Kien Giang.

People are only allowed to go out during these time frames for emergency or performing public duties.

In Dong Thap's capital Cao Lanh Town, all convenience stores and supermarkets, of which some normally open through the night, must close at 6 p.m. from Monday.

Bac Lieu Province in the delta had decided to prohibit all people from leaving their home between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m. from Monday after the move was first adopted by Ho Chi Minh City.

The restrictions in the localities will last until Aug. 1 or until further notice.

All southern localities, including 13 in the Mekong Delta, had already imposed social distancing measures in accordance with government Directive 16 for two weeks starting July 19.

The directive requires everyone to stay home and only go out if necessary to buy food or medicine or to work where allowed. No more than two people can gather together in public apart from at work, school, or hospital.

However, with the ongoing Covid-19 community wave growing more complicated, several localities have decided to boost restrictions to a higher level.