The Ho Chi Minh City authorities have requested all catering services in the locality to close from 18.00 of March 24 to March 31 to limit crowds and help prevent the Covid-19 pandemic more effectively.

One restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City announces closure according to the city's order.

All catering services including fitness centers, spa, hair salons and restaurants with a size of more than 30 people in Ho Chi Minh City are requested to cease operations under a decision of Standing Deputy Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem.

This decision is made in the context of the fast spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in the city and the effort of the entire country to contain it.

From March 15, the city authorities have requested all 180 bars and beer clubs, nearly 500 karaoke bars, parlors, cinemas and online game shops to close.

As of March 24, the city reported 30 cases of infection (including three cured); 1,526 cases that have contact with patients under supervision; eight cases are awaiting test results; 8,476 people are being quarantined in concentrated centers in the city; 541 quarantined in surrounding provinces and 1,093 are conducting self-isolation at home.

Staff in one cafe and restaurant in District 1, HCMC are cleaning up and stop its restaurant.

According to Director of the city's Department of Health Nguyen Tan Binh, two infected people who potentially spread the virus in the community include a British pilot, identified as patient No.91, and a number of Muslims attending a religious gathering in Malaysia and returning to Ho Chi Minh City.

Binh also called on Vietnamese citizens, especially students returning from EU and the US before March 19, to stay home for self-quarantine under the supervision of the local health agencies and authorities. They are requested to refrain from making contact with others even when after the expiration of their 14-day period of isolation