Saigon tightens Covid-19 restrictions amid rise in infections
It’s been 2 weeks since Saigon entered citywide social distancing, and the daily caseloads have shown no signs of slowing.
From 300 to 500 cases daily in mid-June, we’re seeing over a thousand infections reported within half a day.Â
As of this morning, Saigon has hit over 3,300 locally acquired Covid-19 cases.Â
At the same time, city leaders have announced an extension of movement restrictions for the next 2 weeks. In certain areas, restrictive measures will be heightened.
Saigon to disinfect the whole city as Covid-19 cases hike
Image credit: Tuoi Tre
Saigon has experienced Vietnam’s worst Covid-19 outbreak because of the overwhelmingly rapid spread of the coronavirus. As of this morning, the city has reported around 3,300 infections. This number has brought Vietnam’s new Covid-19 cases to a total of 3,898 as of 23rd July morning, according to Tuoi Tre.
The number of daily cases has risen sharply in recent days, largely due to enhanced testing in quarantined areas and in the community.Â
Image credit: Tuoi Tre
To combat the spread of Covid-19, city leaders have decided to disinfect the whole city, especially densely populated areas with high risks of pandemic spread.Â
Image credit: Tuoi Tre
The citywide cleanup is estimated to take place for 7 days.
The level of Covid-19 restrictions in Saigon will be extended and heightened
Ho Chi Minh City leader Nguyễn Văn Nên in a Covid-19 briefing on 22nd July
Image credit: Zing News
Even though the most stringent measures, known as Decree 16, have been implemented for the past 2 weeks, they don’t seem to be sufficient. We’re still seeing an alarming uptick in community infections.
Therefore, relaxations are not viable and reopening is out of the question.
Now that the first 2 weeks of the implementation of Decree 16 have ended, the overseers of the Covid-19 response have also made a judgment call.
Decree 16, which equals citywide social distancing and suspension of non-essential services, will be extended for the next 2 weeks.Â
Image credit: Nguoi Lao Dong
In areas with medium to high risks of infections, restrictive measures will be elevated, according to Zing News.
People in quarantined neighborhoods are strictly forbidden to make direct contact with anyone outside their families.  Â
Residents are only allowed to go out when needing emergent medical assistance or making essential trips to the supermarkets or markets inside their neighborhoods. In particular, grocery shoppers can shop twice a week, using shopping stamps provided by local authorities.
Families with infected people or people who have been in close contact with Covid-19 patients must not leave their homes except for medical emergencies. Essential goods will be delivered to your doorsteps.
Easing of Covid-19 restrictions in Saigon is not viable for nowÂ
The long-anticipated 15 days of mobility restrictions have ended, and here we are facing a more rigorous extension of social distancing.
In the wake of surging infections, the easing of restrictions is not realistic and will make things worse.Â
Hopefully, we’ll see the number of daily cases drop and other indicators take a turn for the better during the next 2 weeks.
In the meantime, stay home and stay safe.
Also check out:
- Inside Saigon’s last line of defense against Covid-19Â
- 8 online grocery shopping services in Saigon that you can benefit from
- Saigon’s haunted building turned into COVID-19 quarantine facility
- Company pitches 500 tents on-site for quarantined employeesÂ
- Corgi dog wanders around amid COVID-19, gets escorted home by a cop
- Saigon church sends charity meals through pipes amid COVID-19
Cover image adapted from: Tuoi Tre
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