HCMC to reopen bars, dance clubs on Jan 10

Duong Anh Duc, deputy chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, announced the decision Tuesday following a proposal by the Department of Culture and Sports.

Reopened establishments however must abide by coronavirus prevention measures, such as social distancing.

Ho Chi Minh City currently has around 500 karaoke parlors, bars and dance clubs. But they have been suspended over the past eight months due to the pandemic.

Their reopening would help satisfy entertainment demands of the people and boost tourism and economic recovery, according to the culture department.

In accordance with existing requirements for safe adaptation with Covid-19, all employees working at bars, dance clubs and karaoke parlors must either be fully vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19. Customers must either be fully vaccinated, have recovered, or test negative for the virus within the last 72 hours.

On Nov. 16 the city allowed cinemas, bars, night clubs, spas, discotheques, and karaoke and massage parlors to reopen, but just two days later it ordered all of them except cinemas to again close.