Many Hanoi residents were seen carrying on with their outdoor routines on Monday, flouting the heightened COVID-19 social distancing mandate that was just reintroduced in the city. 

In light of several new COVID-19 clusters that were recently discovered in the city, Hanoi authorities decided to introduce many epidemic prevention urgent measures from 0:00 am on Monday, including the closure of non-essential businesses and services, limiting public gatherings to five people, requesting a minimum distance of two meters between people, and requiring locals to stay at home unless they go out for food, medicine, or other emergencies.

As witnessed by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper correspondents, the majority of non-essential businesses in the capital city had been closed by Monday morning, while most food stalls have switched to takeaway only. 

Public spaces like lakefronts and parks have been cordoned off with signs warning against public gatherings. 

Meanwhile, functional forces are present on the streets to ensure compliance with the new measures among the communities. 

However, various non-essential stores remained open, while many residents were still spotted on the streets, showing negligence toward the new mandate.

On Monday morning, a group of customers were seen gathering to eat and banter -- many with their masks off -- in front of a new convenience store in Cau Giay District, as the facility has barred indoor dining in pursuance of Hanoi’s direction. 

At the nearby Dong Xa Market, unofficial marketplaces continued to operate on the sidewalk, posing high risks of transmission as they pulled in many people.

Public gatherings were also seen near the My Dinh Bus Station on Pham Hung Street of Nam Tu Liem District, as many ride-hailing drivers grouped up to talk and pick up customers, dismissing the safety regulations in place. 

At the West Lake, a favorite morning exercise spot of city dwellers, droves of joggers and fishermen could still be seen practicing, despite having been warned by local officials. 

On streets like Nguyen Khanh Toan of Cau Giay District, many beauty and fashion stores, which are not classified as essential, remained open to in-store visits on Monday morning.

On the same morning, Big C Thang Long Supermarket in Cau Giay District ramped up safety measures, including mandatory medical declaration via QR code or paper form, as well as body temperature checks, for all in-store shoppers. 

No grocery shortage or panic buying was reported at the store, but a safe distance of two meters as well as mandatory face mask wearing were hardly kept among the crowd at the store’s grocery section. 

“I have undergone a medical declaration and body temperature check at the entrance of the store, but crowded spots inside still made me worried,” said Cao Thi Thuy Dung, a shopper who came to the Big C supermarket on Monday morning. 

On Tuesday morning, the Ministry of Health documented 2,155 local COVID-19 infections, including 19 cases from Hanoi, raising the country’s tally to 60,180, with 11,047 recoveries and 334 deaths.

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