A total of 28 provinces and cities in Vietnam must now practice social distancing until at least the end of April 22, the government has said, an increase from 12 localities announced earlier as both “high-risk” and “at-risk” areas are now asked to strictly implement a prime minister directive on urgent measures to prevent and control the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Following a meeting on Wednesday, the Vietnamese government agreed with the National Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control on social distancing plans after April 15.

According to the COVID-19 committee’s categorization, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang are considered “high-risk” localities alongside the nine provinces of Lao Cai, Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, Ninh Binh, Quang Nam, Binh Thuan, Khanh Hoa, Tay Ninh, and Ha Tinh.

These localities will practice enhanced social distancing for another week, until the end of April 22.

The period can be extended to April 30 depending on the situation of the epidemic in each locality.

“At-risk” localities including the cities of Can Tho and Hai Phong and the provinces of Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Ha Nam, Kien Giang, Nam Dinh, Soc Trang, Thai Nguyen, Thua Thien-Hue, Dong Thap, Binh Phuoc, Nghe An, Lang Son, An Giang, and Ha Giang must also continue to uphold the social distancing order through April 22 and strictly comply with regulations on COVID-19 prevention, the government asked.

Any further adjustment will be decided on April 22 depending on the development of the epidemic in each of these provinces and cities by that time.

Previous information indicated that these 16 “at-risk” localities can relax social distancing measures after 15.

The remaining 35 provinces in Vietnam are considered “low-risk” localities, where social distancing rules are more relaxed.

Certain manufacturing and business activities are allowed to resume in the 35 provinces after April 15 on the condition that epidemiological safety measures are taken.

Ha Giang was initially classified as a “low-risk” province but was recently elevated to the “at-risk” group after patient No. 268, a local villager living near the border with China, was confirmed on Thursday morning.

Vietnam completed 15 days of nationwide increased social distancing on April 15 as per the prime minister's directive issued on March 31, which gave urgent measures to prevent and control the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the enhanced social distancing period, schools, stores, and entertainment venues are closed, gatherings of more than two people in public spaces are banned, and people are told to stay home except for trips outdoors for food, medications, and emergency care.

Traveling between provinces and cities are also restricted as long-haul passenger buses have been banned. Only a handful of flights and trains remain in operation between key destinations such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang.

The novel coronavirus, which first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019, has infected over 2.18 million people and killed more than 146,800 globally as of Friday morning, according to Ministry of Health statistics.

Vietnam has confirmed 268 COVID-19 cases in total, with 177 having recovered.

The country has yet to record a death from the disease.

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