Facing with the risk of another COVID-19 outbreak from the outside, Hanoi has decided to tighten its control over festivals and cultural activities that may draw large gatherings during the upcoming holiday of Reunification Day and May Day.

In an official message sent to municipal authorities and people on April 27, Hanoi Party Committee said the city will activate its entire anti-pandemic system, drastically inspect the implementation of Covid-19 pandemic prevention and control measures in localities.

Hanoi pedestrian streets around Hoan Kiem Lake will be closed in the holidays of April 30 and May 1. Photo: Kinh te & Do thi.

The committee will also enhance inspection to find out returnees from pandemic affected areas, who are evading medical declaration and people violated the city’s regulations.

Besides, Hanoi will have to enforce disease prevention and control measures while fulfilling socio-economic development targets.

The 5K message (“Khau trang” (face mask) – “Khu khuan” (disinfection) – “Khoang cach” (distance) – “Khong tu tap” (no gathering) – “Khai bao y te” (health declaration) of Vietnam’s Ministry of Health need to be strictly obeyed in conjunction with Covid-19 vaccination.

Wearing facemask in public places, at events, conferences and on public transportation is a must to everybody.

The Official Letter also requested Hanoi to called off festivals and cancel pedestrianizing streets on the weekends; suspend all activities with large gatherings. In case conferences or events must be held, there should be suitable scenarios and measures against Covid-19 pandemic.

If infected cases are found, the city must apply measures to trace, isolate and prevent the pandemic from spreading on a large scale.

Hanoi has not reported any cases of Covid-19 infection in the community in the last 70 days. An influx of visitors to Hanoi is forecast for the next holiday, so the pandemic preventing the measures must be more strictly enforced.

Before that, in the meeting organized by Steering Committee on pandemic control and prevention on April 26, Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee Ngo Van Quy asked relevant units and departments to keep seriously enforcing anti-pandemic measures and be prepared for the possible spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.