Hanoi raises Covid-19 warning to highest level amidst national holidays

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Vice-Chairman of the Municipal People’s Committee Chu Xuan Dung at the meeting on April 29 (Photo: VNE)

Vice-Chairman of the Municipal People’s Committee Chu Xuan Dung voiced his request at the meeting of the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control April 29.

Of the 5 new Covid-19 patients and over 30 F1 (those in close contact with Covid-19 patients) reported nationwide on April 29 afternoon, Hanoi has one new community case. Dung, therefore, called on all frontline forces to urgently deploy localization and contact tracing. He also tasked relevant agencies to tightly control commuters traveling to and from Hanoi, especially during the four-day holiday break.

“People leaving Hanoi for Reunification Day and International Labor Day break must make health declaration upon returning the city,” Dung said, a request considered more stringent than one he made days ago.

At the meeting, municipal police leaders said all officers and soldiers must not leave anywhere out of Hanoi to promptly respond to any unexpected events.

The city also requested the closure of bars, karaoke parlors, and dance clubs starting 0:00 April 30. All residents must wear face masks in public spaces. The relevant authorities were asked to ramp up to monitor and strictly handle those breaching the regulations on Covid-19 prevention and control, Vnexpress reported. Earlier on April 27, Hanoi ordered to suspend all festive activities and the operation of walking street and continue to limit unnecessary events and activities that draw large gatherings. Last week, it also announced to scrap Reunification Day fireworks plan over Covid-19 outbreak fear. It had previously planned to light up the sky with fireworks at dozens of major spots. This is the second time (after Lunar New Year’s Eve) in 2021 Hanoi canceled its firework plan to celebrate Vietnam’s big holidays. A number of cities and provinces, including Ho Chi Minh City, Nghe An, Da Nang, etc., have followed suit just days later Fireworks displays seen from the Landmark 81, Vietnam's highest building in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, 2019. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa

The 28-year-old man, patient 2911, met and ate with patient 2899 on April 22, before the latter was confirmed to test positive for the novel coronavirus. Patient 2899 is a male migrant worker who returned from Japan.The city’s streak of 73 days without community transmissions was broken after a man in Dong Anh district contracted with nCoV Friday morning.

He is a truck driver who has been to many places since coming in contact with patient 2899.

He met with patient 2899 from 8-10 p.m. April 22 in an eatery in Ly Nhan District in the northern province of Ha Nam.

The next morning he drove his own car to his home in Dong Anh District, where he came into contact with two family members.

From April 24 to April 28 he had come into contact with at least 10 people, nine in Dong Anh District and one in Me Linh District.

On April 29, after learning that he had come into contact with an infected man, he reported to the local medical center and isolated himself at home. He tested positive the same day.

The building where he lives has been locked down with 21 people inside.

One medical staff preparing samples for Covid-19 testing in Ha Tinh province (Photo: VNE)

In the last 24 hours, Vietnam has recorded 9 new community cases after over a month of no such cases.

All the new cases are linked to patient 2899, who tested positive with the novel coronavirus in the northern province of Ha Nam after completing his mandated two-week quarantine in Da Nang where he tested negative thrice.

The country has recorded 2,914 Covid-19 cases to date including 2,516 recoveries and 35 deaths.

Vietnam is running a high risk of infection from illegal entrants as Covid-19 is raging in its neighboring countries such as Laos and Cambodia.

Border guards in southwestern border provinces such as Tay Ninh, An Giang, Kien Giang, etc are working day and night to avert illegal entrants.

Tourists book tickets for holidays despite Covid-19 pandemic Famous tourist destinations are expected to be crowded despite Covid-19 warnings, according to the booking data from leading travel firms.

Teachers at Mekong Delta prioritized for Covid-19 vaccine Teachers working at border provinces are listed as prioritized group in Dong Thap’s ongoing second round of Covid-19 vaccination.

WHO: Vietnam needs to remain alert against Covid-19 The World Health Organization has advised Vietnam to remain alert for Covid19 outbreaks despite the recent absence of community transmissions and an ongoing vaccination campaign.