Deputy PM works with Ho Chi Minh City leaders on COVID-19 prevention and control

Under the draft directive, the city plans to gradually reopen some economic activities from October 1, as the pandemic situation in the city has achieved many positive results with the number of new cases and deaths having decreased and more than 95% of people aged 18 and above in the city having received at least one vaccine shot against COVID-19.

Accordingly, the city will permit the reopening of businesses and production establishments in industrial zones, processing and exporting zones, high tech zones, as well as in districts and Thu Duc City.

Services allowed to reopen include food and drink for delivery, in-door hairdressing salons (allowed to operate at up to 50% capacity), traditional markets, wholesale markets, shopping centres, stores for stationery, textbooks and other learning equipment, mechanics, electronics, and home appliance and construction works.

Non-essential services and businesses (such as beauty salons, karaoke venues, pubs, bars and massage parlours) will remain closed.

More than 95% of people aged 18 and above in Ho Chi Minh City have received at least one vaccine shot against COVID-19. (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at the event, Deputy PM Dam, who is also Deputy Head of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, applauded Ho Chi Minh City’s authorities for developing the Directive, noting that the city must take into account the inter-regional impacts of the reopening.

Thus, he suggested the organisation of a meeting between the southern hub city and Mekong Delta provinces in order to reach agreements on measures to solve any problems that may arise after the reopening.

He stressed the need to step up communication programmes to raise awareness and responsibility among businesses and employees in pandemic prevention and control.

There should be guidelines for maintaining mobile medical stations after COVID-19 restrictions relax, he stated, adding that it is necessary to tighten exit-entry regulations to control the pandemic and facilitate the economic recovery.

According to the City's Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, the city has detected more than 372,000 infection cases as of 6 p.m. on September 26. A total of 2,805 patients were hospitalised on September 26, while the number of patients discharged from hospitals was 2,936.

Currently, the city's health sector is treating more than 38,600 patients, including over 3,600 children.