HCMC hibernates as residents ordered indoors

By Quynh Tran   August 23, 2021 | 02:29 am PT
Several streets in HCMC stood empty on the first day of a new social distancing period requiring residents to "stay where they are."
HCMC hibernates as residents ordered indoors

Hanoi Highway, leading toward Saigon Bridge and downtown, was virtually devoid of traffic at around 8 a.m. Monday.

HCMC hibernates as residents ordered indoors

A Covid-19 checkpoint on Dien Bien Phu Street near Saigon Bridge saw few vehicles.

Starting Monday, military forces were deployed to reinforce Covid-19 checkpoints across Ho Chi Minh City to enforce strict social distancing.

Until Sept. 6, the military and other authorities would purchase and deliver food to the people once a week.

HCMC hibernates as residents ordered indoors

A military officer checks the travel papers of a person on Dinh Bo Linh Street. Those venturing out were mostly health workers and other frontline forces in the Covid-19 fight.

HCMC hibernates as residents ordered indoors

As seen from above, a roundabout that intersects Ly Thai To, Le Hong Phong, Dien Bien Phu, Ngo Gia Tu and Ba Hat streets is nearly empty.

HCMC hibernates as residents ordered indoors

A Pham Van Dong Street section in Thu Duc City saw no vehicles at times. It is an important traffic route to reach Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

HCMC hibernates as residents ordered indoors

About 5 kilometers away, no vehicles were spotted on the Nguyen Thai Son-Pham Van Dong overpass, a main route leading to Tan Son Nhat airport.

HCMC hibernates as residents ordered indoors

Pham Ngu Lao Street in Go Vap District stands idle, in stark contrast to its usual traffic jams just a day before when people rushed to supermarkets.

HCMC hibernates as residents ordered indoors

Both lanes on Quang Trung Street saw almost no vehicles.

HCMC hibernates as residents ordered indoors

A pharmacy on Nguyen Kiem Street closed down Monday morning. Days prior, it was packed with people trying to buy medicine.

HCMC hibernates as residents ordered indoors

A section of Hoang Van Thu Street, which intersects Nguyen Van Troi Street, was empty at 9:30 a.m. There are two Covid-19 checkpoints at this location.

HCMC hibernates as residents ordered indoors

Nguyen Tri Phuong Street saw only a few vehicles in the morning.

About a million people have gone out onto the streets every day in Ho Chi Minh City despite an ongoing social distancing order, according to police.

HCMC hibernates as residents ordered indoors

A Covid-19 checkpoint on Hoang Minh Giam Street.

 
 
go to top