Hà Nội drops 9pm closure for service venues, reopens pedestrian streets

Tạ Hiện Street, a popular tourist destination known for nightlife activities and street food in downtown Hà Nội. —  VNA/VnExpress News Photo

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội authorities will allow food and beverage venues and service establishments to operate as normal, dropping requirements to close at 9pm that have been enforced for months.

The venues need to comply with COVID-19 prevention and control measures guided by health authorities.

The move is part of Hà Nội’s plans for safe and flexible adaptation and effective control of COVID-19 and reopening tourism and was signed into effect by the Chairman of the People’s Committee Chu Ngọc Anh.

The city also requested districts and townships to decide on the number of people allowed to attend indoor and outdoor activities.

The 5K message – khẩu trang (masks, 100 per cent mandated), khử khuẩn (disinfecting hands, the environment, and the surfaces), khai báo y tế (medical declaration), khoảng cách (keeping a safe distance), and không tụ tập đông người (avoiding large gatherings) – will still be a priority.

The restrictions were dropped as the capital city continues to lead the country in daily new COVID-19 cases, but with an extremely high vaccination rate. Over 99.6 per cent of the population aged 12 years and older have been fully vaccinated, while 80 per cent of adults have received booster shots.

Deaths and hospitalisations from the virus are also under control.

Hà Nội also wants localities to complete a booster dose campaign for adults within March 2022, while attention will be focused on high-risk groups such as the elderly and pregnant women.

The city’s leaders also urged people who have developed suspect symptoms (fever, coughing, breathing difficulties, loss of taste and smell, etc.) not to participate in public activities or busy events like weddings or funerals. 

The People’s Committee requires localities to organise in-person teaching and learning at schools while ensuring the highest safety.

They must also regularly update information and regulations on COVID-19 in schools issued by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and Training and guiding documents of the city, as well as closely follow the developments of the virus outbreak and promptly deal with any outbreaks.

Localities must coordinate with the Department of Tourism, the Department of Culture and Sports and related units to develop a plan to organise tourism activities to ensure safety, efficiency and convenience, while tourism authorities must work with accommodation and travel agencies on COVID-19 protocols.

Hoàn Kiếm District’s authorities also announced that all pedestrian spaces in the historic city centre would reopen from March 18, after nearly a year of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The areas include Hoàn Kiếm Lake walking street, the space from Hàng Đào Street to Hàng Giấy Street, the pedestrian space extending to the preserved area in the Old Quarter, and the pedestrian space to the south of the Old Quarter.

Hoàn Kiếm Lake walking street will be operational from 7pm every Friday to midnight on Sunday, while the remaining three areas will be operational between 7pm to midnight every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Hoàn Kiếm District requires people living in pedestrian spaces to strictly observe pandemic prevention regulations, while visitors are recommended not to go to the walking area if they have suspect COVID-19 symptoms.

People must immediately notify officials at the nearest checkpoints if they find themselves or visitors showing symptoms such as coughing, fever and fatigue. — VnExpress News