What you need to know today:

Society

-- Vietnam announced three more patients catching the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Thursday, taking the country's tally to 153, including 136 active cases.

-- A total of 37 out of 136 active COVID-19 patients in Vietnam have tested negative for the novel coronavirus, with three expected to be discharged from the hospital on Friday.

-- Ho Chi Minh City authorities will fine those not wearing face masks when outdoors, according to the city's chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong.

-- Vietnam has helped take around 800 citizens back home amid COVID-19 and there are now 40 Vietnamese trapped at airports in foreign countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.

-- Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said in a directive on Thursday that Vietnam bans meetings or events where there are 20 people or above to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. Any gathering of more than 10 people outside public offices, schools, and hospitals is also prohibited.

Business

-- The Vietnam Food Association is urging the government to allow exportation of rice again after a ban was imposed this week to ensure domestic food security given the COVID-19 pandemic.

-- Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Thursday ordered local administrations nationwide to start closing non-essential services on Saturday such as massage parlors, discos, tourist sites, entertainment places, cinemas, beer parlors, and restaurants, as Vietnam steps up its fight against the virus. 

Sports

-- The 2020 ASEAN Club Championship has been postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19 but the AFF Suzuki Cup will still take place as scheduled from November 23 to December 31.

World News

-- The novel coronavirus has infected almost 530,000 people and killed nearly 24,000 others around the world. More than 123,000 patients have recovered.

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