Vietnam Covid-19 Updates (March 16): Hanoi Lifts 9pm Ban on Dine-in F&B Venues

Photo: Suc Khoe & Doi Song

Covid-19 infection count sharply rises to over 175,000

Health authorities confirmed a further 175,480 new Covid-19 cases on March 15 across 63 cities and provinces nationwide, an increase of 14,221 from the previous day, including 128,256 local infections.

Hanoi capital and the north-central province of Nghe An led the daily tally with 26,708 cases, and 10,752 cases, respectively, VOV reported.

A total of 68 deaths were confirmed over the past 24 hours, thereby raising the death toll to 41,477. The Health Ministry also announced a further 111,164 recoveries on the same day, bringing the total number of recovered cases to close to 3.4 million since the start of the pandemic.

Photo: VTV

Hanoi to reopen pedestrian spaces from March 18

The capital city of Hanoi will reopen pedestrian spaces in downtown Hoan Kiem district from March 18 after nearly a year of closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the municipal People’s Committee. The move comes after Vietnam resumed tourism activities on March 15. It is expected to help the capital city draw more visitors.

The spaces include streets around Hoan Kiem Lake and neighboring streets; Hang Ngang-Hang Dao pedestrian-trade-service route; expanded pedestrian spaces in the Old Quarter; as well as the routes connecting the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake. The streets around Hoan Kiem Lake will be exclusively opened for pedestrians from 19:00 on Friday until the end of Sunday every week. Meanwhile, the remaining spaces will operate from 19:00 to 24:00 in the three last days of every week.

The People’s Committee of Hoan Kiem district will deploy forces to perform Covid-19 prevention and control activities and handle relevant violations. Local residents are advised to stay at home if they show Covid-19 symptoms. Visitors are requested to make health declarations and wash their hands before entering the pedestrian spaces, and not to enter the area if they have any Covid-19 symptoms. Organizers of cultural and art events in the spaces are asked to strictly implement Covid-19 control measures.

Photo: Nhan Dan

PM urges accelerating vaccination of booster shot for those aged 18 and above

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested the Ministry of Health to direct centrally-run cities and provinces to accelerate the vaccination of the booster shot against Covid-19 for people aged 18 and above, according to VNA.

The Government leader's instruction was detailed in a dispatch issued by the Government Office regarding the plan on the vaccine in 2022 submitted by the Health Ministry. PM Chinh also required no delay in the purchase of vaccines and organization of vaccination for children from five to under 12 years old.

The Health Ministry should closely monitor the international situation and study international recommendations and experience on the administration of the fourth shot with a view to proactively handling related issues and report to the Prime Minister any issues beyond its authority. If there is a shortage of vaccines that leads to negative consequences, the Minister of Health must take responsibility before the Government and the Prime Minister.

Photo: Bao Dan Toc

Hanoi lifts 9pm ban on dine-in food, beverage venues

Hanoi's authorities have allowed dine-in food and beverage venues to operate as normal, lifting the requirement to close before 9 pm which has been enforced for months to curb the spread of the pandemic. The venues still need to observe Covid-19 preventive measures set out by health authorities.

The move is part of the capital city’s plans for safe and flexible adaptation and effective control of Covid-19 and reopening tourism. It was signed into effect by the Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Chu Ngoc Anh on March 15. The city also requested districts and townships not to drop the guard against coronavirus and continue strictly enforcing Covid-19 rules, including the 5K message.

The restrictions were dropped as the capital city continues to lead the country in daily new Covid-19 cases, but with an extremely high vaccination rate. Over 99.6 percent of the population, aged 12 years and older have been fully vaccinated, while 80 percent of adults have received booster shots. Deaths and hospitalizations from the virus are also under control.

Hanoi also wants localities to complete a booster dose campaign for adults within March 2022, while attention will be focused on high-risk groups such as the elderly and pregnant women. The city’s leaders also urge people who have developed suspect symptoms not to participate in public activities. The number of attendees to busy events like weddings and funerals must remain limited.

Vietnam Covid-19 Updates (March 15): Daily Count Falls Slightly to Over 161,000 As of 6 pm on March 14, Vietnam has detected 6,377,438 Covid-19 cases since the start of the outbreak, ranking 20th out of 225 countries ...

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