Southern Vietnam ramps up restrictions as Covid-19 resurges

By Phuoc Tuan, Cuu Long   November 21, 2021 | 06:23 am PT
Southern Vietnam ramps up restrictions as Covid-19 resurges
People entering Lam Dong Province medically declare themselves at a Covid-19 checkpoint in Da Huoai District. Photo by VnExpress/Thai Ha
Southern localities are tightening up Covid-19 restrictions again as they witness a resurgence of new cases.

Starting Monday, Tay Ninh is suspending bars, dance clubs, Internet cafes, karaoke and massage parlors. Food and beverage establishments cannot host more than 20 people at the same time, alcohol sale is not allowed and people have to keep a distance of 1.5 meters from each other.

Other activities like sports, exercises, weddings, funerals and religious activities can also only host up to 20 people. Events that require more people must be approved by local authorities.

In the last eight days, the province has recorded 3,774 new cases takings its overall total to more than 20,200 Covid-19 cases and 206 deaths.

Meanwhile, starting Sunday, the Lam Dong People's Committee also requires people returning from areas with outbreaks to test negative for the coronavirus within the last 72 hours. Its officials and workers must also be tested every three days, among other measures.

The number of cases has been rising in the Central Highlands province as well, mostly due to people returning from Covid hit regions. Between Nov. 14-21, Lam Dong has recorded 518 new cases, taking its total to around 2,000.

Binh Thuan has gone a step further, suspending non-essential services and requesting people not to go out between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. People cannot travel to or from areas with very high coronavirus risks, and only takeaway food are allowed.

People can only go to the market with approval papers from authorities.

The province record 3482 new cases from Nov. 14-21 for a total of over 11,700 Covid-19 cases so far with 95 deaths. While over 92 percent of its adult population have received at least one Covid-19 vaccine shots, only around 33 percent have received two doses.

Bac Lieu, which has recorded 2,389 new cases in the last eight days has recorded over 9,300 in total. The province has also suspended activities and events with more than 10 people at a time either indoors or outdoors, except for offices, medical facilities and locations for Covid-19 testing. Residents are also banned from going out between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m.

Government employees are not allowed to leave the province without approval, and cannot attend social events and parties except for weddings and funerals confined within the family.

Restaurants can only allow takeaways and operate between 4 a.m. and 7 p.m. Local authorities plan to provide food stamps or use other methods to enable residents go shopping.

Non-essential services providing establishments like bars, dance clubs, karaoke and beauty parlors are also suspended. Covid-19 checkpoints have been erected in areas with "complicated" coronavirus situations.

In Vinh Long, too, restaurants can only provide takeaways, and entertainment activities are suspended. The province has recorded around 300 new cases each day for the past 10 days, mostly in hospitals.

Vietnam has already recorded more than one million Covid-19 cases. Out of the 20 localities with the highest number of cases, 19 are in southern Vietnam (the other being Hanoi).In recent days, the number of new Covid cases has been rising to around 9,000-10,000 every day.

 
 
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