Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and 10 other provinces will maintain the social distancing period by one more week, until April 22 following an order by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Wednesday.

Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Photo: Hanoimoi

The ten other localities include Lao Cai and Quang Ninh that border with China, the northern province of Ninh Binh, the northern province of Bac Ninh where a Samsung Display plant with a worker infected with the coronavirus is located, the central city of Danang, the central provinces of Ha Tinh, Quang Nam, Binh Thuan, and Khanh Hoa, and the southern province of Tay Ninh that borders Cambodia.

“The aforementioned cities and provinces are at high risk and the subjects would be changed while the extension might be prolonged, until end-April, depending on the actual situation,” the PM said at a virtual meeting with leaders of all 63 cities and provinces.

On the same day, authorities of both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City proposed the government extend the stay-at-home period to April 30.

Social distancing is believed one of effective measures. Photo: AFP

At the meeting, the government classified the localities into three groups based on the risk of coronavirus contagion, namely high risk, potential risk, and low risk.

There are 15 localities with potential risk namely the northern city of Haiphong, the northern provinces of Lang Son (which borders China), Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, and Thai Nguyen, the central provinces of Nghe An, Thua Thien-Hue, and the southern provinces of Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai, An Giang, Soc Trang, Kien Giang, Dong Thap, and the southern city of Can Tho.

Localities of this group will lengthen the stay-at-home period by one week or more, depending on the pandemic situation.

However, the PM warned all cities and provinces to closely follow preventive measures against the pandemic. “We are unable yet to return to the normal life before, and precautionary steps must be taken,” he noted.

The requirement on wearing of face masks and the ban on mass gatherings remain effective nationwide.

The PM asked relevant agencies to continue stopping the visa issuance for foreigners. Domestic air service will be limited until the end of April.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs needs to work with local authorities to immediately launch the social welfare package for vulnerable people.

The ongoing social distancing campaign started on April 1. During this period, all non-essential businesses are required to shut.