Gyms in Ho Chi Minh City can reopen from Wednesday following a Tuesday order that allows indoor sports facilities to resume operations while continuing to suspend a number of other businesses.

Ho Chi Minh City vice-chairman Le Thanh Liem on Tuesday signed a document explaining the implementation of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s Directive No. 19 on measures to cope with novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the new context.

The new order came into effect on Wednesday and will last until further notice.

According to the document, businesses that must remain shuttered include beauty salons, spas, saunas, massage parlors, entertainment venues, theaters, cinemas, wedding reception centers, discos, bars, karaoke shops, pubs, beer clubs, Internet shops, and online game centers.

Homestays and Airbnb services continue to be suspended.

Crowded religious ceremonies and activities, sports tournaments, large gatherings in public places and stadiums, and other non-essential large-scale events will stay forbidden.

The city bans gatherings of more than 30 people in public spaces, outside of offices, hospitals and schools, and meetings with over 30 participants.

Previously, public gatherings were restricted to only 20 people.

All other businesses and activities not mentioned above will be allowed to resume and must thoroughly implement the sets of criteria for safe operations and COVID-19 prevention and control issued by state agencies in their respective fields.

As indoor sports centers and sports facilities are no longer on the list of suspended businesses and activities, gyms can roll out the welcome mat from Wednesday.

The municipal People’s Committee also said in Tuesday’s document that state agencies and offices shall work and strictly comply with the regulations on disease prevention and control in welcoming guests and visitors, including cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces, objects and meeting rooms after each meeting.

The committee advised the enhanced use of the Internet, mail or post and the application of information technology to handling administrative procedures, online meetings, and work-related discussions.

Wearing face masks in public and at workplaces, keeping a distance of at least one meter from others, down from two meters before, and avoiding unneccessary travel are strictly required.

Cinemas, clubs, bars, massage parlors, karaoke shops, and online game centers have been prohibited in Ho Chi Minh City from March 15.

The prohibition was extended to entertainment and amusement centers, beer clubs, restaurants, catering businesses, gyms, billiard clubs, beauty and hair salons, and barbershops from March 24.

The nation underwent 15 days of enhanced social distancing from April 1 to 15.

A prolonged social distancing period from April 16 to 22 was then imposed on 28 provinces and cities including Ho Chi Minh City.

The southern metropolis has reported 54 patients so far, four of whom still remain in treatment, including three relapse cases.

Meanwhile, Vietnam’s COVID-19 tally has remains at 270 since April 24, with 221 recoveries as of Wednesday afternoon.

No death related to the respiratory disease has been reported in the Southeast Asian country.

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