Hanoi’s authorities on May 11 said they began banning gatherings of more than 10 people and suspend a certain number of food and beverage places amid rising coronavirus fears, according to a directive issued by Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Chu Ngoc Anh.

The gathering limitations would not be applied in offices, schools, hospitals and other locations for election purposes, the directive said. Vietnam will hold its general election for people’s representatives of different levels on May 23.

An apartment complex in Hanoi is under lockdown after a coronavirus case was detected in the building. Photo: VNN

All massive meetings and other non-essential events will also be canceled, the directive added, noting that meetings would be held only upon approval from authorities and the number of participants must not exceed half of the venues' maximum capacity.

For places where sell food and beverages near hospitals, only takeaways are allowed. People are required to stay two meters away from each other in public areas and must strictly obey Covid-19 prevention measures.

Food and beverage businesses and convenience stores around the Hanoi National Cancer Hospital K3 in Thanh Tri district and the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases 2 in Dong Anh district, where are under lockdown, must be suspended, the directive said.

Vietnam is currently facing its toughest Covid-19 wave yet, which has seen 486 community cases in 26 cities and provinces since late April. On May 10, 125 community cases were recorded in a single day, the highest daily infection tally observed ever since the disease appeared in Vietnam early last year.

Hanoi in particular has recorded 144 cases in total, with 93 cases recorded in the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases 2 and the Hanoi National Cancer Hospital K3 which are placed under lockdown.

The capital city has already shuttered non-essential services like bars, dance clubs and karaoke parlors, as well as outdoor food stalls and cafes, to curb the spread of the disease.