Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest metropolis and current pandemic epicenter, has asked the Government for VND28 trillion (US$1.22 billion) and 142,200 tons of rice to help its needy people and migrants workers overcome months-long lockdown.

About 4.7 million people are subject to assistance, local media has reported.

A youth union member delivers home-based care medicine to an affected family in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: HCDC

The support will make the life of poor laborers easier, ensure their compliance with precautionary measures during the restrictions, and prevent them from leaving the city to their hometown.

In response to the worse pandemic, the city has imposed strict social distancing from May 31 to June 14 and partial lockdown from July 9 to September 15.

Over the last two months, the city has launched two supporting packages worth VND1.8 trillion ($78.26 million), in addition to many charity programs and a large portion of the Government’s VND26 trillion ($1.13 billion) aid.

Being the hardest-hit area by Covid-19, the most populous city saw reducing State budget revenues in May and June and it might fail to meet the revenue target of VND365 trillion ($15.86 billion).

As of August 17, Covid-19 caused more than 160,000 infections and over 5,000 deaths in the city. Nearly 50% of its 13-million population have got the first shot of vaccine.

Deputy Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Duong Anh Duc has said that the city has reported an average of 3,500 infections and 241 deaths per day over the past weeks.