Shippers not allowed in Hanoi amid social distancing: transport department

Vu Van Vien, director of the municipal Department of Transport, said that people won't be able to order from supermarkets and convenience stores as well.

"The city still allows businesses that provide essential supplies, so for now, people would go buy the things they need themselves," he said, adding that the department would monitor the situation and discuss with the People's Committee to adapt to different scenarios, Thanh Nien newspaper reported.

Postal workers and supermarket staff can perform their deliveries but their employers have to register lists of specific individuals with the transport department and receive approval.

Regarding the ride-hailing services, Vien said authorities would provide specific instructions for them in the future.

Hanoi on Friday announced a 15-day social distancing order starting 6 a.m. Saturday amid rising coronavirus concerns in both the capital and nationwide. Chairman Chu Ngoc Anh said the citywide order is being issued under Directive 16, which comprises the country’s most stringent social distancing regulations, requiring residents to stay home and only go out for basic necessities such as buying food or medicines or to work at factories or businesses that are allowed to open.

People must keep a distance of at least two meters. No more than two people can gather at public places apart from workplaces, schools or hospitals. Daily online medical declaration is required.

Trade centers, supermarkets, traditional markets and wholesale markets in the city will only sell essential items. Funerals cannot gather more than 20 people. The majority of public transportation will be shut down and there will be no travel to other localities.

Hanoi has recorded 884 local Covid-19 cases in the fourth coronavirus wave that struck Vietnam in late April.