Hanoi to extend strict social distancing in Covid-19 high risk areas

[ASEAN NOW News]

Hanoi will maintain strict Covid-19 restrictions in high-risk areas, while easing them in lower risk areas after Sept. 6

Hanoi’s Party Committee said the city will apply the strictest social distancing rules in areas with very high risks of Covid-19 exposure, or red zones, requiring everyone to "shelter in place."

 

The area near the Sword Lake of Hanoi's Hoan Kiem District on the morning of September 2, 2021. Photo: VnExpress

 

Restrictions will remain in place also for lower risk areas and safe zones, but less strict than Directive 16 and stricter than Directive 15, the committee said.

 

Directive 15 requires suspension of social events, bans gatherings of 20 people or more in one place and of 10 people or more outside workplaces, schools, and hospitals. A minimum distance of two meters between people in public places should be ensured, cited vietnamtimes.org.vn.

 

Directive 16 requires people to stay home and only go out for basic necessities like buying food or medicines or to work at places that are still allowed to open.

 

3,600 Cases

 

Hanoi has recorded more than 3,600 community Covid-19 cases since the fourth coronavirus wave hit Vietnam in late April.

 

The capital has undergone several social distancing orders since late July, but outbreaks have been more unpredictable than earlier, with new clusters still being detected, showing gaps in the city's coronavirus control measures, Dinh Tien Dung, secretary of the municipal Party Committee, said last Sunday.

 

The city has six clusters that are still developing in a complicated fashion: Alley No.24 on Kim Dong Street, Giap Bat Ward in Hoang Mai District, Ngoc Ha market in Ba Dinh District, Van Mieu and Van Chuong wards in Dong Da District, Thanh Xuan Trung ward in Thanh Xuan District and Tan Lap Commune in Dan Phuong District.

 

Automatic extension granted for foreigners stranded due to Covid-19

 

The Department of Immigration has issued a notice regarding an automatic extension for foreigners stranded in the country due to Covid-19.

 

In line with this policy, foreigners who entered the nation on visa waivers, e-visas, or tourist visas after March 1, 2020, are entitled to an automatic extension until September 30. Indeed, they will be able to depart the country without having to apply for an extension.

 

Foreign tourists walk on Bui Vien backpacker street in downtown HCMC, March 2020. Photo: VnExpress

 

For those who entered the nation before March 1, 2020, the same automatic extension until August 31 can be considered, subject to provision of proof that the person is stranded in the country due to Covid-19, according to VOV.

 

This must be accompanied by a diplomatic note with Vietnamese translation from relevant diplomatic missions, or a written document from relevant Vietnamese authorities confirming that the person must undergo mandatory quarantine or treatment for Covid-19, or proof of another force majeure.

 

Foreign citizens are required to present the diplomatic note or a written document regarding their departure from the country.

 

During their “automatic stay extension” period, foreigners are required to complete temporary residence and health status declarations.