Saigon nightclubs and bars reopen
As of 23rd March, Saigon, Vietnam’s largest city, has been going into its 40th day without any locally transmitted COVID-19 cases.
As a result, local authorities have allowed nightclubs and bars to reopen after just over a month of temporary suspension as part of the city’s concerted efforts to flatten the COVID-19 curve.
Saigon has gone 40 days without any COVID-19 cases in the community
Bui Vien walking street, home to many bars and pubs, attracted crowds this past weekend
Image credit: @sub.roy
On 19th March, Ho Chi Minh City marked its 36th day without any locally transmitted COVID-19 days since the last outbreak in early February, according to VNExpress.
In response to the improving COVID-19 situation in the city, Ho Chi Minh City’s leader Mr Duong Anh Duc officially gave nearly 500 karaoke places and 180 nightclubs in the city the nod to reopen and operate.
Image adapted from: Khu 13
Among the conditions for reopening include thorough cleaning of the venues and for visitors to make health declarations online.
Hair of the Dog Club Saigon even organized an “After Covid Party” last Saturday
Image credit: Hair of the Dog Club Saigon
To date, nightclubs and bars have been the last business establishments given the green light to reopen as COVID-19 cases in the city are slowing to a trickle. On 1st March, businesses such as tourist attractions, shopping malls, and F&B establishments were reopened.
Image adapted from: California Fitness & Yoga Centers Vietnam
Businesses operating in closed spaces such as gyms, fitness clubs, billiards, and beer clubs were allowed to reopen on 9th March.
Saigon COVID-19 updates
Image credit: Báo Tin tức
In the first week of February, Ho Chi Minh City recorded its first COVID-19 outbreak of the year. After recording 31 locally transmitted COVID-19 cases by 9th February, the authorities of Ho Chi Minh City had ordered all fitness clubs, gyms, entertainment hubs, nightlight hubs, cinemas, and religious institutions to temporarily close.
From the start of the pandemic to date, Ho Chi Minh City’s number of COVID-19 patients has totalled 215 cases, 209 of whom have recovered, and 6 of whom are still undergoing treatment. Approximately 2,580 people are currently in centralized quarantine facilities, while 253 people are quarantined at home.
Saigon is fully open now
After an intense Lunar New Year holiday when the whole country was grappling with the daily risks of the COVID-19 outbreak, many parts of the country are finally returning to normalcy as the pandemic levels off.
Saigon is finally picking up by letting all of its business sectors reopen, providing a ray of hope for the city’s hard-hit entertainment sector and its workers.
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Cover image adapted from: Khu 13
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