Hanoi has canceled the quarantine mandate for visitors from high-risk areas, including Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and some other southern provinces that was imposed two days ago.

According to the latest decision issued yesterday night, the capital city demands self-quarantine based on the visitors' vaccination status.

People who are fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19 will have to self-supervise their health for seven days after arrival and be tested on the first day.

Hanoi removes the Covid-19 quarantine mandate on returnees from high-risk areas. Photo: Tuan Kiet

Those who have not been fully vaccinated have to self-quarantine for seven days, be tested twice during this period, and supervise their health for another seven days.

People who have not received any vaccine shot have to isolate themselves for 14 days and be tested for the coronavirus on the seventh and 14th days.

Besides, the local authorities require fully vaccinated visitors to scan QR codes upon their arrival or at certain locations to facilitate contact tracing when necessary.

Nguyen Huy Nga, former Head of the General Department of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health welcomed Hanoi's latest decision, saying such a move would ensure smooth travel and facilitate economic recovery.

“With a rather wide vaccination coverage, obeying the five safety rules (5K) is more important than self-quarantine which may not help reduce infection risks," he told The Hanoi Times.

Ho Chi Minh City temporarily suspends karaoke, massage, discotheque, spa, and bar services. Photo: Van Dung

The municipal Department of Health will be responsible for building Covid-19 safety protocols for businesses and services like bars, spas, and massage parlors in the current context, the municipal authorities said.

Cinemas and libraries are still allowed to open, but all employees and clients must either be fully vaccinated with two doses, recovered from Covid-19, or test negative for the coronavirus within the last 72 hours.

Officials in each district and Thu Duc City were tasked with enforcing the new order as well as sternly penalizing violators.

Earlier, on Tuesday evening, Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Phan Van Mai signed a decision to reopen cinemas, karaoke parlors, bars and discos, spas, massage parlors, and bike-hailing service following an over-six-month ban due to Covid-19. The reopening came with various conditions depending on the risk level of each ward and district.

HCMC has been the hardest-hit locality in Vietnam since the fourth virus wave began on April 27, with nearly 451,000 infections.

Authorities had previously closed bars, discos, and karaoke shops from April 30, and cinemas and massage parlors from May 3, while ride-hailing service was suspended from July 9.