Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that the government should gradually relax social distancing restrictions to help localities resume socio-economic activities.

Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Photo: VGP

However, the relaxing must be taken step by step to ensure vigilance on the pandemic, Phuc said at a cabinet meeting on April 20.

Preventive measures namely wearing face masks at public places, no crowd gatherings, and washing hands regularly remain in the warning. Meanwhile, non-essential services remain closed.

The PM asked the National Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control to consider resuming the operations of intercity buses and the number of passengers allowed on each inner city bus.

Notably, Vietnam will see which countries to reconnect transport first, depending on the actual situation.

Vietnam considers relaxing social distancing restrictions. Photo: MGN

The PM gave a green light to export of surgical masks after the domestic reserves are ensured.

Vietnam has confirmed no new coronavirus cases in the last five consecutive days. The result is partly attributed to the national social distancing that began on April 1.

Hanoi has reported no new cases over the past six days while Ho Chi Minh City reported the last case 17 days ago.

The government will allow sporadic flights to bring Vietnamese nationals home. Deputy ministers of Health, Foreign Affairs, Transport, and Defense will be in charge of determining the flights.

The PM, with the consultation of the National Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, will decide at a government meeting on April 22 whether to lower the alert for certain cities and provinces.

Accordingly, heads of cities and provinces are eligible to apply proper alert levels for their locations based upon the actual situation.