Hanoi has allowed Internet and online game shops to reopen from March 16 but all must strictly abide by Covid-19 prevention and control measures, according to Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Chu Xuan Dung.

Dung said at a meeting on March 15 that guests to these venues must make medical declarations while the shopkeeper have to ensure their customers keeping a safe distance (at least one meter) apart from each other.

These shops have been closed since early February when a new wave of Covid-19 hit the capital city and nearby localities. They are now able to open; however, karaoke parlors, bars and discotheques will remain closed.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Chu Xuan Dung speaks at the meeting. Photo: Kinhtedothi.vn

Dung asked local departments, sectors and localities to set up adjustment plans for their operations in the “new normal”.

The Hanoi vice chairman also permitted the resumption of inter-provincial bus routes.

After the loosening of community activities, the city will continue to enforce measures on Covid-19 prevention while strictly handling violations, Dung stressed.

According to the Director of the municipal Department of Health Tran Thi Nhi Ha, Hanoi has not confirmed any new Covid-19 case for the last 28 days. Since January 27, it has detected 35 locally-transmitted cases.

The department has been asked to continue randomly testing high-risk cases, with priority given to densely populated areas and industrial zones, vaccinating people in the priority groups, and monitoring reactions to vaccine administration.

Hoang Duc Hanh, deputy director of the health department, said the capital city has administered Covid-19 vaccine to 90 frontline health workers and will continue to execute the vaccination plan at the district level.

So far, everyone who has administered the vaccine is in good health, Hanh added.

Nearly 1,400 of the 4,000 samples the city has collected for random mass testing have returned negative for the novel coronavirus.

With the capital city counting 28 days without any new community transmission of the virus, most services have been allowed to resume.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Health confirmed two imported cases and 29 recoveries on March 16 morning. The nation’s Covid-19 caseload stands at 2,559 with 2,115 recoveries and 35 deaths.