HCMC requests Covid restrictions in high-risk areas

Duong Anh Duc, deputy chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, said 13 communes and wards with high coronavirus risks would need to see activities restricted and the peak of infections must be reached within the next two weeks.

“We’re seeing a high number of Covid-19 cases everywhere: from schools to businesses to families. It’s a worrying sign,” said Duc, adding that the number of people being treated at home has also significantly risen and it would be “dangerous” if the number of infections exceeds the current capacity.

Duc requested that districts follow existing coronavirus guidelines to restrict activities in accordance with each area’s coronavirus risk. It means that areas with high coronavirus risks would need to limit activities for weddings, funerals, festivals, massage and beauty parlors, in-person dining and movie theaters, while bars, dance clubs and karaoke parlors must be suspended.

Tang Chi Thuong, director of the HCMC Department of Health, said most districts have recorded rising numbers of Covid-19 cases over the past week, even doubling. Right now, the southern city has 13 wards and communes categorized as having high coronavirus risks.

They are District 5’s Ward 3; District 10’s wards 5, 7, 11 and 12; District 11’s Ward 11; Binh Chanh District’s Vinh Loc A and Vinh Loc B communes; Hoc Mon District’s Ba Diem Commune; and Thu Duc City’s Tam Phu, Tang Nhon Phu B, An Phu and An Loi Dong wards.

Regions’ coronavirus risks are categorized into low-risk, medium-risk, high-risk and very high-risk groups. Criteria to classify them include vaccination coverage, the number of Covid-19 infections and medical capabilities.

HCMC has recorded over 541,900 Covid-19 cases so far, with 20,290 deaths.