The Hanoi city government on March 25 asked competent agencies to enforce the closure of unnecessary business services in the city in a tougher move to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ta Hien Street (Photo: Zing)

Non-essential businesses including karaoke bars, parlors, online game stores, cinemas, stadium, and fitness facilities are requested to close while grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations could remain open.

Previously, Hanoi’s authorities requested the closure of entertainment services until the end of March but did not state concretely as to what services should be ceased like their peers in Ho Chi Minh City. 

On March 24, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee suspended all catering and entertainment services including fitness centers, spa, hair salons and restaurants with capacity of more than 30 people in the locality from 18.00 on March 24 to March 31.

At least eight people have been infected with the coronavirus due to their connection with a bar named Buddha in the city's District 2.

At the meeting with local governments and ministries on March 24, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc ordered the closure of non-essential services across the country to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The decision was made in the context of the growing spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in Ho Chi Minh City and the effort of the entire country to contain it.