Provinces and cities nationwide gradually returning to new normal

A host of provinces and cities nationwide have devised plans aimed at bringing daily life back to a new normal as the pandemic shows signs of abating, with positive COVID-19 cases consistently seeing a gradual reduction.

  • Hanoi offers free meals for needy patients amid COVID-19
  • Districts in HCMC go on right track to controlling COVID-19

Provinces and cities nationwide gradually returning to new normal ảnh 1

 

Ho Chi Minh City has launched a pilot reopening in District 7, while the central city of Da Nang has lowered the pandemic level and the southern province of Binh Duong has managed to bring COVID-19 under a degree of control.

This comes after the country witnessed more than 12,600 people recover from the disease September 14, with the number of new cases nearing 10,500. A series of provinces and cities have also started to resume operations four months on from the initial outbreak.

District 7 became the first locality in Ho Chi Minh City on September 15 to declare that the pandemic has been brought under control. As a result, the district will pilot the reopening of activities, including permitting 150 types of production and businesses to resume operations.

Alongside District 7, both Cu Chi and Can Gio districts will pilot a "vaccine green card" based on vaccination information, epidemiological factors, and antibody testing. This is in order to manage people's living activities and ensure that safety regulations about pandemic prevention measures are fully met.

As of September 15, shippers throughout the city will be able to conduct inter-district delivery and enjoy support for COVID-19 testing costs.

After nearly three months of closure, Hoc Mon market is anticipated to reopen for 12 small fruit and vegetable traders, thereby becoming a transshipment point for goods, although the site will not return to trading activities as before for the time being.

Over the past ten days, the southern metropolis has gradually restored a number of economic and livelihood activities, such as selling takeaway food and reopening services for computer equipment and essential aids to help learning.

Ho Chi Minh City will also extend the enforcement of Directive 16 until the end of September, with activities being gradually eased on the basis of the pandemic being brought under control, without massively reopening every activity at once.

According to Binh Duong’s provincial leaders, the past ten days has seen the number of hospital discharges higher than the number of new infections, indicating that the peak of the pandemic may have already passed.

A total of 104,000 out of 160,000 infections in total have now fully recovered from the disease, with mortality rate standing at 0.8%.

The locality is therefore considering opening up socio-economic activities step-by-step, including piloting "green zones" first, while continuing to contain the pandemic in "red zones".

Starting from September 15, people with "vaccine green cards" will be able to move within "green zone" districts, before being able to travel throughout the province after September 20.

Also as from September 15, more than 1.1 million people in Da Nang will continue to observe the enforcement of social distancing measures at a higher level than Directive 16 after a month of "staying at home", with these people also set to undergo frequent testing.

Furthermore, half of the communes and wards throughout the city have been identified as "green zones" due to no new positive COVID-19 cases being recorded for 14 consecutive days.

The central city will allow “orange zones” in order to restore some construction, engineering, and repair services, while agencies and offices will be able to operate up to 70% of employees.

Citizens will also be able to go and purchase food and essential goods every five days, whilst outdoor exercise activities will be extended from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

A number of other central and northern provinces have also loosened anti- pandemic measures.

Hai Phong has opened flower gardens, parks, street food, and indoor services, although it is limiting the number of guests and operating hours. In addition, Thanh Hoa is reopening tourist spots, with capacity not exceeding 50% and only welcomes domestic tourists.

Elsewhere, Ha Giang has moved to restore activities at yoga studios, gyms, Internet shops, massage, and sauna services, in the event that that staff have received two jabs of the COVID-19 vaccine and get tested every seven days.

This comes after a total of six northern provinces, including Lao Cai, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, and Son La, also gradually restored business and livelihood activities.

Although Hanoi has yet to finalise a plan for any services to resume operation, it is set to ease Directive 16, with top priority being given to pandemic prevention and control to protect people's health.

In recent times, the capital has speed up its vaccination campaign, with the goal of providing 100% of the population aged 18 and above with their first dose.

The capital's health sector successfully administered more than two million doses in six days and is expected to complete 100% of local citizens by September 15.

The nation has recorded 630,662 COVID-19 community cases in 62 out of its 63 cities and localities nationwide, along with more than 15,900 fatalities.

VOV

Other News

Border guards seize 15,200 drug pills, heroin in major trafficking bust

Border guards seize 15,200 drug pills, heroin in major trafficking bust

At about 10:15 pm on July 20, officers from the Operations Division of the Nghe An Border Guard Command and the Nam Can International Border Gate Border Guard Station, in coordination with customs officers at the Nam Can International Border Gate, caught a resident of Tan Tien hamlet, Chieu Luu commune, Nghe An province, allegedly transporting narcotics in Tien Tieu hamlet, Nam Can commune.

Floods, landslides wreak havoc on northern mountainous region

Floods, landslides wreak havoc on northern mountainous region

Total economic losses were estimated at about 255 billion VND (nearly 9.7 million USD), with Lai Chau accounting for the largest share of the damage with 190 billion VND, followed by Son La with 46.04 billion VND, Lao Cai with 16.7 billion VND, and Dien Bien with 2.3 billion VND.

Three young French volunteers embark on humanitarian journey to Vietnam

Three young French volunteers embark on humanitarian journey to Vietnam

While many French students have just completed their secondary school examinations and are preparing for their summer break, Elza Le Floch, Celeste Perotteau-Giraud and Wyatt Lelouche have embarked on a different journey. On July 15, the three members of the Scouts and Guides of France group in Menton left Nice for Xuyen Moc in Ho Chi Minh City.

Efforts to safeguard religious values in digital age

Efforts to safeguard religious values in digital age

Digital transformation is changing not only how people work and communicate but also how they practice their faith. A Buddhist sermon can now attract tens of thousands of online viewers. A Protestant believer in a remote area can join a Bible study class via smartphone. Religious activities once closely tied to places of worship are increasingly taking place in cyberspace.

Digital transformation in religion: When religious teachings spread with a single tap

Digital transformation in religion: When religious teachings spread with a single tap

As Vietnam's digital transformation continues, technology is opening new avenues for religious communities to share their teachings more quickly, more broadly and with more diverse audiences than ever before. Yet these opportunities also bring responsibilities: safeguarding the authenticity of religious teachings, cultivating a healthy and trustworthy digital environment, and equipping religious communities with the digital literacy needed to navigate the online world responsibly.

Phu Quoc tightens inland waterway safety, traffic management

Phu Quoc tightens inland waterway safety, traffic management

Operators of inland ports and terminals must carry out regular inspections, maintenance and repairs to ensure facilities remain safe and operational. They are also required to work with competent authorities and the Inland Waterway Port Authority to verify that vessels operating at ports and terminals meet all safety requirements.

Attracting high-quality talent to strategic science, technology fields

Attracting high-quality talent to strategic science, technology fields

Under the decree, students admitted to eligible programmes who meet entrance score requirements or are directly admitted, and rank among the top 30% of entrants, will be eligible for Government scholarships. The scholarships will be renewed annually based on academic performance and conduct.

Ten localities to launch housing projects for Agent Orange victims' children

Ten localities to launch housing projects for Agent Orange victims' children

The Deputy PM assigned the Chairpersons of the People’s Committees of the 10 provinces and cities that have yet to begin construction to urgently complete all necessary preparations and hold simultaneous ground-breaking ceremonies on July 15, for projects to build and repair homes for eligible beneficiaries.

Cao Bang accelerates DNA sampling of unidentified war martyrs

Cao Bang accelerates DNA sampling of unidentified war martyrs

The work, which began on July 9, is being carried out by military and medical personnel following strict technical procedures. The process includes exhumation, biological sample collection, sealing and preservation of samples, documentation, and digitalisation of all relevant information. Each sample is carefully verified and catalogued, while excavation sites are accurately marked.

Nearly 700 administrative procedures abolished

Nearly 700 administrative procedures abolished

By the end of May this year, localities across had implemented simplification measures for 411 administrative procedures, including abolishing 86 processes, amending or supplementing 111 and retaining 214, contributing to improved efficiency of the State administrative apparatus as well as helping citizens and businesses.