Hanoi to relax virus curbs this week

HANOI will further ease its coronavirus restrictions from this week, the government said, with new cases on the decline and the majority of its adult population partially vaccinated.

Most construction projects can resume from tomorrow, authorities said late on Sunday, adding further easing would follow, with average new daily cases down to just 20.

So far 94% of Hanoi’s adult population of 5.75 million has received one shot of a Covid-19 vaccine, with the aim of completing second doses by the end of November, said deputy chairman of Hanoi’s ruling People’s Committee, duong duc Tuan.

The city has conducted largescale testing on four million people to filter Covid-19-positive cases and reduce community cases. After the mass testing, the city has narrowed down testing areas.

According to the city’s authorities, those aged over 18 will receive the second vaccine jabs by November.

Tuan said the city would not divide the city’s areas into three zones, green, orange, and red like before.

“only red zones with high risks and positive cases will have to apply directive 16. it’s better to have no red zones. if we have red zones, we have to try to narrow things down,” he said.

“We can’t maintain the social distancing measures indefinitely,” Tuan added. — Reuters/vietnam NEWS/ANN