{"id":8098,"date":"2021-07-12T12:00:37","date_gmt":"2021-07-12T04:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=8098"},"modified":"2021-07-13T11:11:07","modified_gmt":"2021-07-13T03:11:07","slug":"saigon-wears-sign-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/saigon-wears-sign-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Rider Wears “I’ll Be Right Back” Sign, Explaining Why He’s Out Amid COVID-19 Restrictions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Saigon man wears a sign to explain the reason he\u2019s out<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Since mid-June, more than 500 locally acquired cases of COVID-19<\/a> have been recorded in Saigon on a daily basis. As the deadly outbreak worsened, local authorities have placed the city under the highest level of restrictions<\/a> starting from 9th July.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the new restrictions, anyone caught in public places, for reasons other than purchasing groceries or participating in emergencies, will be fined.<\/span><\/p>\n

With this in mind, a<\/span> Saigon resident <\/b>wore <\/span>a sign like a crossbody bag <\/b>as he was riding his scooter on the streets. On the sign was a message stating his reason for hitting the road and a promise to be home soon.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s why this sign has gone viral.<\/span><\/p>\n

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He wears a sign saying that he’s out to buy soy sauce and eggs<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"Saigon
\nHe wears a sign stating his reason to be on the road<\/em>
\nImage adapted from: tompoli228<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

On 11th July, footage showing a man riding a scooter wearing a sign cut out of cardboard surfaced on TikTok page <\/span>tompoli228<\/span><\/a> with a caption, \u201cYou must have a valid reason to hit the road in Saigon these days.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The sign worn around the scooter rider\u2019s neck read, \u201cI’m leaving home to buy soy sauce and eggs. I\u2019ll be right back.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On his scooter hung a bottle of hand sanitizer, probably to show his willingness to comply with the health protocols.<\/span><\/p>\n

Obviously, this message was meant for police officers to see so they understood that he was not defying the COVID-19 restrictions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nImage credit: Thanh Nien<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

For the past 3 days, police officers have been patrolling the roads 24\/7 to make sure that no violations of the movement restrictions are committed. Anyone caught showing up in the public without a valid reason will face a VND3,000,000 (~USD130.42) fine.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s uncertain whether any policeman happened to see the law-abiding rider\u2019s message and approve his reason for leaving home that day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, millions of other people have.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Netizens praise his initiative<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Ever since the footage was shared on TikTok, it has garnered over 3.6 million views and over 200,000 likes. Many netizens praised him for his initiative, while some homebound netizens commented that they might do the same just in case they need to go out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nImage adapted from: tompoli228<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think any policemen would want to charge him a penalty after seeing this sign,\u201d TikTok user <\/span>Hu\u1ef3nh Ph\u01b0\u1edbc B\u1ea3o<\/span><\/a> left a comment that many policemen might agree with.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nImage adapted from: tompoli228<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

TikTok user <\/span>M\u1ea1nh m\u1ebd l\u00ean T\u00f4i \u01a1i<\/span><\/a> commented, \u201cHe\u2019s really this smart. In case he runs into the police, he might not have to pay a VND3,000,000 (~USD130.42) fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nImage adapted from: tompoli228<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI will make a sign like this tomorrow.\u201d TikTok user <\/span>\u0110\u1ed7 Th\u00e0nh \u0110\u1ea1t<\/span><\/a> drew inspiration from the rider\u2019s initiative.<\/span><\/p>\n

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We should adapt to changes during this unprecedented time<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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As a famous saying by American writer Jessica Hagedorn<\/strong> goes, \u201cAdaptability is the simple secret of survival.”<\/span><\/p>\n

This can\u2019t be any truer for the law-abiding citizen in the story.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not easy to make a living these days, let alone paying a hefty penalty just for leaving home to buy cooking ingredients. While the sign can catch the attention of fellow commuters and make them laugh, it might help the honest man gain sympathy and avoid a run-in with the law. <\/span><\/p>\n

Surviving in Saigon for the next 12 days is a daunting task for many people, but we must learn to adapt. Therefore<\/span>, stay indoors whenever possible to curb the spread of COVID-19. When you go out for essential tasks, mask up at all times, and keep a distance of at least 2 meters from the nearest person.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also check out:<\/span><\/p>\n