Hanoi evacuates people living in Thanh Xuan District

Around 1,200 residents living in Hanoi's Thanh Xuan District have been evacuated from their homes after the capital's biggest COVID cluster was detected.

People living in alleys 328 and 330 of Nguyen Trai Street are being moved to dormitories at the FPT University on the outskirts of the city.

Authorities say it will take around three days before everyone has been safely relocated.

Since August 23, 381 new coronavirus cases have been discovered at the location. The evacuation was ordered to reduce population density and curb the spread of the virus.

Major Luong Hong Truong of Thanh Xuan Military Command said: "We will organise the transportation in 10 batches within three days. After it is completed, we will ensure all the benefits for citizens in the quarantine areas. We will work closely with the management authority to ensure the living conditions for the citizens when staying in the city's concentrated isolation areas."

While residents are away from their homes, their belongings will be safeguarded until their return.

Dang Khanh Hoa, Deputy Chairman of Thanh Xuan People’s Committee, added: "All people’ assets are still in the houses, so we will work to safeguard security and order 100 per cent, preserve the assets intact to handle them over to the people when they return."

According to Hanoi's Department of Health, there are seven COVID-19 clusters with 652 infections. They are in Alley 24 of Kim Dong Street with 45 infections, Tan Lap with 14 cases, Ngoc Ha Market with 16 cases, Thanh Xuan Trung Ward with 381 cases, Van Mieu with 107 cases, Van Chuong with 89 cases, and Son Tay Street, Kim Ma Ward where 15 people have tested positive for coronavirus.

Hanoi has recorded 3,564 COVID-19 cases in the fourth wave starting April 27, including 51 confirmed on Wednesday.

Residents from Alley 328 of Nguyen Trai Street on Wednesday night left their homes, taking buses to FPT University's dorm in Thach That District.

Thanh Xuan Trung Ward police were at Alley 328 to support people during the evacuation.

Evacuated people are taken to the quarantine area by bus.

A bus is waiting for evacuated residents on Nguyen Trai Street.

The evacuation for people living in COVID-19 cluster is expected to reduce population density and stop infections in Thanh Xuan Trung Ward after more than 380 COVID-19 infections have been detected there.