Ho Chi Minh City to resume many services from March 1

The facilities are requested to ensure that people maintain a minimum distance of one metre from each other, and catering establishments are ordered to serve no more than 30 people at the same time.

The decision was announced on February 25 after the city went 14 days without a single community transmission case of COVID-19.

The reopening of several services aims to achieve the dual goal of facilitating effective pandemic prevention while maintaining socio-economic development in the city.

However, under the decision, non-essential services including bars, dance clubs, pubs, beer clubs, karaoke parlours, gyms and pool table services will remain closed until further notice.

City authorities have also allowed the organisation of religious events which gather less than 50 people at a time and participants fully observe regulations on COVID-19 prevention and control.