Hanoi will ease social distancing on public transport since March 8, according to the municipal Department of Transport.

However, the department still requested to apply Covid-19 prevention measures on public transport in accordance with the guidance of the Ministry of Health and strictly implement regulations to curb the pandemic spreading in transport activities.

Hanoi will ease social distancing on public transport since March 8. Photo: Thanh Luan

Transport companies, vehicle owners/operators must require drivers, service staff and passengers to properly wear face masks.

Hand sanitizer solution (with at least 60% of alcohol content) must be provided on vehicles which is also disinfected before and after the trip.

Passengers are encouraged to install Bluezone applications and make medical declarations with QR codes in accordance with regulations.

Hanoi had not detected any new Covid-19 infections for 20 consecutive days. In the coming days, the capital city will relax its social distancing measures to help resume normal activities, but will continuously control, inspect and strictly handle violations of pandemic preventive measures.

With the alert level lowered, Hanoi will allow the opening of several non-essential services on condition that preventive measures are ensured.

The city reopened schools from March 2 for students from kindergarten to high school levels, while colleges and centers for vocational training and education will also reopen since March 8.

The city continues to lay eyes on the prevention and control of the Covid-19 with a number of protective measures like wearing face masks at public places, and no mass gatherings.

The city’s mayor said that strict punishment remains effective to people failing to wear face masks in public places and those violating social distancing requirements.