Strict social distancing measures will be lifted from the northern province of Hai Duong, Vietnam’s COVID-19 epicenter at present, from Wednesday, as the locality will focus on pandemic control while boosting socio-economic development.

Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Pham Xuan Thang said at a meeting on Monday that extending the social distancing period would be unnecessary.

The province will enter a new state and concentrate on the double goal of fighting COVID-19 and promoting socio-economic development, Thang continued.

The COVID-19 situation in Hai Duong has been controlled well during the past 33 days, the official added.

From 0:00 on Wednesday, strict social distancing measures under the prime minister’s directive No. 16 will end, and 12 localities in the province will be divided into two groups with suitable pandemic prevention and control regulations.

Kim Thanh and Cam Giang Districts, Hai Duong City, and Kinh Mon Town shall implement precautious measures under the PM’s directive No. 15.

The directive specifies that a gathering or meeting with more than 20 people in one room or a gathering of more than 10 people outside office buildings, schools, and hospitals is not allowed

People should keep a safe distance of at least two meters in public places, while non-essential business and services will remain closed.

All religious rites and activities with more than 20 participants in religious establishments as well as all cultural, sports, and recreational activities in public places are suspended.

Meanwhile, Binh Giang, Gia Loc, Nam Sach, Ninh Giang, Thanh Ha, Thanh Mien, Tu Ky Districts, and Chi Linh City will implement measures under the prime minister’s directive No. 19.

Accordingly, people must keep a distance of at least one meter from each other in public.

Non-essential businesses are allowed to reopen except for bars, karaoke shops, massage parlors, discos, and beauty salons.

Vietnam has logged 2,472 COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday morning, with 1,892 recoveries and 35 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health.

A total of 868 community-based infections have been recorded in 13 provinces and cities since January 27, of which 681 were in Hai Duong, making the province the country’s largest COVID-19 epicenter at the moment.

Social distancing measures were previously reinstated in Hai Duong from February 16.

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