Hanoi to stop non-essential services based on Covid risk

Hanoians drink coffee on the sidewalk of Trich Sai Street in October 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Tung Dinh

Hanoi will suspend or prohibit non-essential services based on the local Covid-19 risk level under a decision taken Monday, reports VN Express.

Districts may restrict or suspend the operation of non-essential services including food and beverage establishments, events with large gatherings and other activities based on the Covid risk level in their communes and wards.

They have also been asked to set up support groups to monitor the health of Covid-19 patients being treated at home. The support groups can comprise volunteers of women's unions, youth unions, students, teachers, and others.

Volunteers must be under the age of fifty and fully vaccinated. They will receive information from newly detected Covid-19 patients, take samples for testing, provide quarantining and other information.

Hanoi allowed on-site dining and reopening of parks, hotels, and public transportation mid-October after two months of strict social distancing orders (July 24 to Sept. 21).

The restrictions were relaxed gradually as the country moved towards the new normal of living with Covid.

Some non-essential services like karaoke parlors, bars and clubs remain closed.

As of Monday, Hanoi had recorded 13,679 cases in the ongoing outbreak that started in late April.

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