Vietnam goes one week without new Covid-19 cases

Among the active patients, three have tested negative once and eight twice.

Starting Wednesday midnight, Hanoi and HCMC, which have apparently kept infection cases under control, have been allowed to relax their social distancing after 22 days with strict isolation rules.

With a couple of districts still having active Covid-19 patients, Hanoi will have more restrictions in place than Ho Chi Minh City.

HCMC is allowed to open shops, street businesses and several non-essential services, but the city has decided that the suspension of taxis, ride-hailing services and passenger buses will continue.

Both cities will continue to stop social events, gatherings of over 20 people in a place and gatherings of 10 people or more outside workplaces, schools and hospitals. A minimum distance of two meters should be maintained between people in public places.

Earlier, during the nationwide social distancing period that started on April 1, gatherings of more than two people in public places are banned and people are required to stay at home except for emergencies.

For now, Vietnam will continue to suspend receiving foreign visitors.

The Covid-19 pandemic has reached 210 countries and territories, and more than 183,800 deaths have been reported.