Expats struggle to find out what exactly are the latest rules during lockdown in HCMC

[ASEAN NOW News]

There are many Expats in HCMC who are concerned for their second home in Asia and pray that Vietnam will successfully contain the Covid-19 outbreak soon.

 

Being a foreigner often means you can be last to actually know what is going on, and what are the latest rules regarding the current wave of Covid viruses.

 

 

Most of the official notices are posted in Vietnamese, which can be hard for non speaking expats to understand.

Some expats eventually find out from the local security guard, who explained to one expat not to venture out with their dog, since the city is in a lockdown to contain the Covid-19 outbreak.

 

Others are now having to prove that they were out to buy essential items.

 

There are many foreigners who are now having to face disruptions to their daily life after HCMC extended its lockdown last Friday and made it more stringent than in the previous month.

 

Home Deliveries Banned

 

This time it even prohibited food takeout and delivery and ordered people to stay at home and only go out for necessities such as buying food or medicines or going to work at factories or businesses that are allowed to open.

 

Knowing about the news later than locals, has left many expats struggling to do last-minute stocking up before the lockdown began.

 

 

Many expats after hearing the news, had then rushed to their nearest supermarket, only to find that there were limited food options since hoarders had already bought everything.

 

Now many Facebook expat community groups have been flooded with questions about stocking up on groceries, with many wondering how to shop safely and still follow social distancing guidelines.

 

Due to the language barrier, some have resorted to asking Vietnamese housemates, neighbors, friends, and colleagues to help them with shopping online for groceries.

 

Many foreigners said the inability to order takeout was a big blow since they could not cook and depended on restaurants for food.

 

While shopping and cooking are major topics of discussion online, foreigners also fret about the lockdown rules, many saying they have no idea what documents to carry on the streets in case the police accost them.

HCMC, epicenter of the ongoing wave of coronavirus, had set up 266 checkpoints.

 

Everyone passing through them must produce a certificate provided by employers proving they work at businesses or organizations that can operate or other papers establishing a valid reason to travel. If they fail to do so, they can be fined VND1-3 million ($43.38-130.15).

 

 

According to a police report, city authorities have so far fined violators VND3.3 billion ($143,592) for leaving their houses for non-essential reasons, gathering in public places and trading non-essential goods in just the first two days of the lockdown.

 

These checkpoints were removed on Tuesday morning, but patrol teams will keep working across the city.

 

Not Enough English Information

 

Some expats have said that there has been no official information in English from the authority, so I must read the news or learn from my friends.

 

The uncertainty caused by the outbreak has also taken a toll on mental health, with many expats starting to feel Covid-19 fatigue as the city's daily tally continues to hit new records. The economic crisis threatens their financial stability.

 

Many expats have been sent on leave without pay, and with the daily record tally of new Covid cases, many expats cannot hide their concerns.

 

HCMC now has the highest number of cases with 17,239 as of Wednesday morning.

 

 

[ifmu]

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