All arrivals from localities where social distancing measures are being enforced due to COVID-19 are now required to undergo quarantine in concentrated facilities as per the latest decision by Hanoi authorities.

The decision was announced by Chu Ngoc Anh, chairman of the municipal People’s Committee,  on Wednesday evening and took effect at 0:00 on Thursday.

The regulation applies to all people arriving in the capital from areas that are currently following social distancing rules under the prime minister’s directives, except for those who participate in pandemic prevention and control efforts.

Chairman Anh stated that municipal authorities have carried out prompt measures to control infection clusters that were recently detected.

However, a number of residents are still failing to comply with pandemic prevention and control guidelines.

Thousands of people travel from other localities to Hanoi on a daily basis, posing a high risk of spreading the virus in the community.

Several cases were recently detected at local pharmacies and hospitals, with most reporting such symptoms as coughing, a fever, and difficulty breathing.

The chairman requested that the city’s Center for Disease Control and healthcare facilities boost testing capacity, focus on screening those with COVID-19 symptoms, and prepare further plans for treatment and quarantine.

He asked all residents to strictly follow COVID-19 restrictions and only go outside when necessary.

Hanoi has recorded 761 local infections since the fourth outbreak hit Vietnam on April 27.

Following the detection of new clusters, the municipal administration imposed urgent pandemic curbs from Monday.

All residents are required to only go outside when necessary, while gatherings of more than five people in front of offices, schools, and hospitals are prohibited.

Non-essential businesses are suspended and eateries are only allowed to sell takeaway food.

Vietnam has documented 71,144 COVID-19 cases as of Thursday afternoon, with 11,971 recoveries and 370 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health.

The country has registered 67,473 local infections in 61 provinces and cities since April 27.  

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