Ho Chi Minh City is planning to introduce a ‘vaccine green pass’ which allows residents who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to resume certain activities, according to chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Phan Van Mai.

A team has been established to develop a plan for COVID-19 prevention and economic recovery in the city after September 15, chairman Mai said at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam and the government's special working group on Tuesday.

After September 15, offices, economic activities, services, and transportation can only resume operation if they meet certain safety conditions, the official stated.

Supermarkets and trade centers will gradually reopen depending on the level of safety in each area.

"One of the safety conditions people must meet in order to participate in the activities is vaccination," Mai said.

The city will submit a ‘vaccine green pass’ scheme to the central government for approval when its experts on healthcare and economics finish designing a specific road map, the official added.

He also asked the government to distribute more vaccine doses so that the metropolis can fully vaccinate its residents against COVID-19.

The ‘vaccine green pass’ plan was also mentioned by vice-chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Duong Anh Duc during a meeting on pandemic response efforts on the same day.

When the plan is implemented, more relaxed social distancing measures will be applied to residents who have received at least one shot of COVID-19 vaccine, Duc elaborated.

He ordered the expedition of inoculation progress as the city needs to administer about two million jabs from now until September 15.

Ho Chi Minh City has been provided with enough jabs to give at least one shot to all residents aged 18 and older.

The vice-chairman added that people who have recovered from COVID-19 will have their vaccination schedule postponed by six months.

However, they will be treated similarly to vaccinated residents when the ‘vaccine green pass’ scheme takes effect.

Duc requested competent authorities to redesign a certificate for recovered patients as well as update their information in the city’s database.

Vietnam had documented 550,996 COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday afternoon, with 311,710 recoveries and 13,701 deaths, according to the health ministry.

The country has recorded 546,683 local infections in 62 out of 63 provinces and cities since the fourth wave began on April 27.

Ho Chi Minh City is the hardest-hit with over 265,800 cases.

The city has imposed social distancing measures at various levels since May 31.

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