Ho Chi Minh City, the largest coronavirus hotspot in Vietnam, has decided to impose social distancing with stricter anti-coronavirus measures over two weeks, starting on Friday, as its daily count of infections continuously breaks the record. Addressing an urgent meeting on Wednesday, Nguyen Thanh Phong, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee said the city has developed scenarios to deal with pandemic developments in all circumstances. He assured the residents that the city has stockpiled sufficient commodities for local consumption, and warned them not to gather in crowds for food hoarding.

“The residents should stay calm and believe in the city’s pandemic prevention measures,” he said.

Under the directive, social distancing will be imposed on a locality if it runs a great risk of virus spreading in the community. All residents are required to stay indoors and are only allowed to go out for food or other necessities.

Gatherings of more than two persons are not allowed in public places or at schools, hospitals and State offices. All business services will be temporarily shut, except for shops that offer daily necessary items and prevention measures must be strictly implemented.

HCM City has constantly changed its social distancing measures since May 31, but the number of daily confirmed infections has increased considerably, from some hundreds to close to 1,000 these days.

More than 3,300 medical officers and staff from the Ministry of Health and students from medical schools are now present in Ho Chi Minh City. The Ministry of Health said 10,000 medical staff will be mobilized to support the city.

Source: VOV5