Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have lifted the 10:00 pm curfew on F&B establishments as their pilot operation in the context of safe living with COVID-19 has been extended through the end of this year.

The municipal People’s Committee issued new guidelines on the operation of restaurants and food joints on Friday afternoon.

The city administration earlier approved the municipal Department of Industry and Trade’s proposal for those businesses to continue their services through December 31 provided that they ensure the compliance with the COVID-19 prevention regulations.

The trade department made the proposal based on the districts and Thu Duc City authorities’ reviews on the trial phase from November 16 to the end of the month, during which all eateries were allowed to offer sit-down services until 10:00 pm every day, as well as to sell beer and alcohol.

During this period, the eateries in the city must meet all of the safety criteria promulgated by the municipal steering committee for COVID-19 prevention and control.

In areas at low and medium risk of infection, known officially as levels 1 and 2, F&B establishments were permitted to operate at 100 percent of capacity and serve alcoholic beverages.

In high risk areas, or level 3, eateries must operate at only 50 percent of capacity and were not allowed to serve beer and alcoholic drinks.

Dine-in services were banned in areas with a very high risk, or level 4.

Ho Chi Minh City has been the hardest-hit locality in Vietnam since the fourth virus wave began on April 27, with more than 475,000 infections.

The city had imposed various levels of social distancing since May 31 before loosening restrictions in October, when the overwhelming majority of its adult population had been vaccinated against the coronavirus.

F&B establishments were permitted to offer sit-down services from October 28, but had to operate at only 50 percent of capacity and close before 9:00 pm.

Only eateries in Thu Duc City and District 7 were allowed to serve alcoholic beverages on a trial basis between October 28 and November 15.

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