Despite the latest wave of coronavirus infections hitting 13 out of 63 localities in Vietnam, many residents in Ho Chi Minh City are using the first evening after the Lunar New Year holiday to meet friends for drinks.

There were barely any vacant tables in restaurants and eateries along Phan Xich Long Street in Binh Thanh District, Hoang Sa Street in District 1, Truong Sa Street in District 3, Pham Van Dong Street in Go Vap and Binh Thanh Districts, and Tay Thanh Street in Tan Phu District on Wednesday afternoon.

Businesses along each of these streets had tables spaced just inches apart to serve guests looking for a few drinks after work on the first business day following the end of the Lunar New Year holiday. 

While patrons were aplenty at each establishment, face masks, particularly amongst servers, were sparse.

These practices were against an order given by the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City that started taking effect at 12:00 pm on February 9.

Accordingly, food and drink establishments are required to increase delivery services, not to serve more than 30 people at a time, to arrange distance between seats, to ensure a distance of one meter or more between two people, to ensure food hygiene and safety, and to take COVID-19 prevention and control measures as demanded by health authorities.

The placement of partitions on tables between customers is also encouraged.

On Wednesday evening, a task force of the People’s Committee of Ward 5 in District 8 booked five cases of businesses serving more than 30 customers at the same time and failing to ensure distance between seats on Ta Quang Buu, Bong Sao, and Bach Mai Streets.

Strict punishments will be handed down to places which repeat violations.

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