A traffic police officer checks papers of a truck driver. Many localities have extended social distancing under the prime minister’s Directive 16. - Photo: VNA

The localities, including Can Tho, Ben Tre, Tay Ninh, An Giang, Soc Trang, Tien Giang, Bac Lieu, Vinh Long, Ca Mau and Long An, and the central province of Phu Yen, normally extend the stringent social distancing by between seven and 15 days.

Specifically, Can Tho will extend social distancing to August 25. The city also asked departments, agencies and districts to strictly and effectively follow the city’s Directive 10 on the enhancement of inspections and supervision of the compliance with anti-pandemic measures, the local media reported.

In addition, the supply of food and essential products to local residents, especially those in areas under lockdown, must be ensured.

Dong Thap has also decided to continue imposing social distancing in the same period as Can Tho.

The provincial Party Committee also asked Sa Dec City to suspend all activities in the city during the period to focus on the fight against the pandemic.

The committee has established a working team to direct the fight against the pandemic in the city. All enterprises in the city must adopt the stay-at-work mode and no suspended firms will be allowed to resume their operation during the period.

Meanwhile, Ben Tre will continue conducting anti-pandemic measures in line with Directive 16 until August 30.

In the coming days, the number of Covid-19 cases in the province is forecast to rise further. Therefore, the province needs more time to work out more drastic measures to stop the virus from spreading further in the community.

Tien Giang also extended social distancing until August 30. It also asked local residents not to go out from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m.

On August 15, Tay Ninh Chairman Nguyen Thanh Ngoc also issued a province-wide social distancing extension order for 14 days, starting from 0 a.m. on August 16. The provincial government required local residents to stay at home to bring the pandemic under control.

Over the past 28 days, the province has striven to tackle the pandemic and the number of new cases has declined.

In An Giang Province, Long Xuyen and Chau Doc cities and seven districts—Chau Thanh, Chau Phu, Tinh Bien, Tri Ton, Cho Moi, Thoai Son and An Phu—will continue practicing social distancing under Directive 16 for 10 more days. Meanwhile, Tan Chau Town and Phu Tan District will employ anti-pandemic measures in Directive 15 for 10 days, from August 16.

As of August 15, the province has recorded 847 Covid-19 cases, including three retesting positive after being released from hospital. The province has had 253 recoveries and four deaths.

In Vinh Long, provincial chairman Lu Quang Ngoi has also signed a decision extending social distancing for 10 more days. The province will continue banning locals from venturing out between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Meanwhile, Bac Lieu has extended social distancing for seven days. During the period, the province will step up the testing work, especially in areas and enterprises with a high risk of the pandemic transmission, and the vaccination.

Ca Mau will continue applying anti-virus measures in line with Directive 16 for an additional five days. Local residents must not leave the province during the period.

Instead of extending social distancing province-wide like other localities, Hau Giang and Soc Trang divided communes, wards and towns in the provinces into areas with different coronavirus transmission levels.

In Hau Giang, activities in the coronavirus-free areas will be resumed, except for nonessential services. Residents must also avoid gatherings of over 10 people in public places, while factories and construction projects will admit laborers residing in the coronavirus-free areas only.

The remaining areas must continue practicing social distancing for seven days.

In Soc Trang, only eight communes, wards and towns in the extremely-high areas must continue practicing social distancing in accordance with Directive 16.

Moreover, 28 units were classified as having a high risk of Covid-19 transmission and 28 others with a risk of Covid-19 infection. Up to 45 units have returned to a new normal and residents in this area can travel and resume production and business activities.

The central province of Phu Yen has also asked Tuy Hoa City, Dong Hoa Town and Phu Hoa, Tay Hoa and Tuy An to continue practicing social distancing under Directive 16 for 10 more days. Meanwhile, Son Hoa, Song Hinh and Dong Xuan districts and Song Cau Town will deploy Directive 15.

The province has reported nearly 2,200 Covid-19 cases, including 22 fatalities. It began social distancing under Directive 16 from July 23.

Source: Saigon Times

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