Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport has allowed long-haul buses in all provinces and cities to resume operations in order to meet travel demand during the holiday weekend.

Passenger buses were allowed to operate again from Wednesday at 100 percent their capacity along approved routes.

Operators have to make sure necessary measures are taken to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) during their operations.

Accordingly, passengers have to be seated one meter or one seat apart.

Travelers are required to wear face masks during their journey and fill out health declaration forms.

All drivers and conductors have to wear face masks and gloves, as well as having their health monitored regularly.

Vehicles have to be equipped with hand sanitizers and properly disinfected after each journey.

Passenger bus lines are allowed to add extra vehicles to meet the rise in demand from April 30 to May 3, a four-day holiday marking Vietnam’s Reunification Day (April 30) and International Workers’ Day (May 1).

On Wednesday, Ho Chi Minh City authorities also permitted the first bus to resume operations after nearly a month of suspension as part of the government’s enhanced social distancing order.

The novel coronavirus, which first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019, has infected over 3.22 million people and killed more than 228,200 globally, according to Ministry of Health statistics.

Vietnam has confirmed 270 cases so far, with 219 having recovered.

No death from the disease has been recorded in the country.

The transport ministry banned all long-haul buses throughout the country from April 1 to implement the nationwide social distancing regulations.

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