Hanoi will partly resume its socio-economic activities from April 23 after three weeks of social distancing. 

The city is allowed to operate a number of sectors after Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc decided to lower the coronavirus alert in Hanoi to “potential risk” instead of “high risk”.

Pho restaurants can reopen from April 23.

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

From April 23 through the month-end, the city resumes 20-30% of transport services, including taxi and ride-hailing services. Restaurants and cafés can reopen.

Hanoi plans to reopen schools from May 3 for high school and college students and a week later for lower grades, Chairman Nguyen Duc Chung of the Hanoi People’s Committee said Wednesday.

However, 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.

However, several locations in Hanoi remain under social distancing orders, including the outlying district of Thuong Tin and Me Linh which is home to a village under lockdown.

Hanoi promotes widespread testing. Photo: VNA

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.

Meanwhile, cultural, sport and entertainment activities like festivals, karaoke, games, and massage services remain banned.

Hanoi is home to several coronavirus hotspots like Bach Mai Hospital and Ha Loi village where dozens of coronavirus cases were detected. Over the past time, the city has identified nearly 32,000 people who were linked to Bach Mai Hospital and approximately 15,000 others involved in Ha Loi.

The city has also promoted widespread testing, including in seven wholesales markets to find community transmission.

As of April 22, Hanoi has confirmed 112 infections, of whom 81 have recovered, according to Director of the municipal Department of Health Nguyen Khac Hien.