The northern province of Hai Duong, Vietnam’s biggest Covid-19 epicenter to date, will lift some social-distancing restrictions and resume production and business from March 18 as the number of new Covid-19 infection cases has decreased significantly.

Factoriescan resume work provided that the owners sign commitment to Covid-19 safety with the local authorities. They are urged to routinely test their employees and managers for the novel coronavirus.

Schools in Hai Duong must make preparations for the reopening, ensuring safety for students. Photo: Tien Manh

However, religious gatherings, sports events and crowded festivals, along with other unimportant events that require large gatherings in the province are still banned.

Entertainment venues, tourist sites, sport centers, beauty parlors, hairdressing shops, karaoke bars, massage parlors, bars, discotheques, restaurants, cafes and lottery stalls will continue to be closed.

People are urged to halt weddings, while funerals need to be held with caution in mind. Some areas under lockdown will continue to be isolated until further decisions are made.

Primary, secondary and high schools are scheduled to reopen on March 18, excepting for those in the quarantine areas. All kindergarten children will be off until the end of the month.

Nguyen Viet Hai, office chief of Hai Duong’s Party Committee, said the province would apply the norms until month’s end, and make further decisions depending on developments at the time.

Counting from January 28 when domestically-transmitted cases of Covid-19 reemerged in Vietnam after almost two months, 904 domestic cases have been recorded in 13 cities and provinces. Hai Duong alone accounts for 720 patients, including three confirmed yesterday. Among patients who have contracted the virus, 463 have recovered.