COVID-19 Updates (September 16): Hanoi reopens night clubs and karaoke services
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USD 133,000 to help vulnerable people stricken by covid-19 and the drought in Vietnam. Source: UN Women Vietnam

The total funding came from the generous contribution of EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid (ECHO).

The cash grant will help to improve the living conditions of many people, especially who are working in informal sectors, lost their jobs and significantly reduced their income due to the double disasters (COVID-19 and drought). Across every sphere, women and girls are disproportionately affected.

According to the latest report of UN Women and UNDP, the pandemic will push 96 million people worldwide into extreme poverty by 2021, 47 million of whom are women and girls.

In Vietnam, a total of 2.4 million jobs have been lost in the first two quarters this year, the biggest reduction for the period in the past decade, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Le Van Thanh at a thematic conference held by the Party Committee of the bloc of central agencies in Hanoi on September 15.

The deputy minister underlined the severe impacts of the pandemic on production and business activities in most industries and sectors. A large number of enterprises had to suspend operation or dissolve in the past months, seriously affecting the labour market.

Vietnam loses 2.4 million jobs in first two quarters. Photo: VNA

He also cited figures of the General Statistics Office, which showed 17.6 million labourers suffered from reduction of income, with average income in the second quarter standing at VND 5.2 million (over USD 223 ), down VND 525,000 (USD 22,59) from the first quarter and VND 279,000 (USD 12) from the same period last year.

But, on the bright side, Vietnam has registered no new coronavirus cases during the past 12 hours and September 16 is the 14th day in a row that the country has effectively controlled the disease in the community.

So far, 1,063 coronavirus cases were recorded, including 691 cases of community transmission, since the virus was detected in late January.

Life has gradually returned to normal in major coronavirus hotspots like Da Nang, Quang Nam and Hai Duong provinces. Da Nang, the epicenter of the country’s largest outbreak, has removed checkpoints at its gateways. Non-essential services such as karaoke and massage have been permitted to operate normally.

The government has agreed to reopen commercial air routes to six destinations, namely Guangzhou (China), Taiwan (China), Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (the Republic of Korea), Phnom Penh (Cambodia) and Vientiane (Laos)./.

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