HCMC – The Dong Nai government today, September 20, started its plan to resume socioeconomic activities in Covid-19-safe areas, also known as “green zones”, while Binh Duong Province is gradually easing social distancing measures in these areas to move toward the new normal stage.
Under its plan, Dong Nai Province is piloting the easing of social distancing measures in green areas within 10 days under Directives 15 or 19 depending on the Covid vaccination rates.
Residents in Covid-safe areas are allowed to travel between Covid-safe areas, while people who want to attend social activities must be partially or fully vaccinated and must have received the jab for 14 days, the local media reported.
As for coronavirus-free communes and wards, they are allowed to reopen and enter the new normal stage. During the stage, residents must follow Covid safety protocols, while bars, karaoke and massage parlors can operate at 50% of capacity.
Meanwhile, residents in extremely high-risk, high-risk or low-risk areas are still implementing the stay-at-home mandate under the intense Directive 16.
Nguyen Hong Linh, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, said that after two months of applying the stay-at-home order, the province had widened green zones effectively.
After 10 days of applying the easing of social distancing measures in green areas in communal-level administrative units, the province will consider relaxing the measures in hamlet-level administrative units. Dong Nai Province has yet to apply a green or yellow pass policy.
Elsewhere, Binh Duong Province has seen a decline in the daily Covid infections these days, so the province is moving toward a new normal stage in green zones to help socioeconomic activities gradually recover.
Nguyen Loc Ha, vice chairman of Binh Duong Province, said that social distancing measures were relaxed in green zones, but many Covid safety regulations are still in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Depending on the Covid situation, each district can ease mobility restrictions, Ha said, adding that residents are allowed to go out if they have received a first shot for 14 days. People who have recovered from Covid-19 illness are also allowed to venture out.
Under its economic recovery plan, Binh Duong Province is prioritizing socioeconomic recovery in green zones during the first phase from September 15 to October 31.
In the second phase after October 31, when the province completes administering the second shots and keeps the pandemic in check, it will resume some services and activities.
In the third phase after December 31, when the province no longer sees extremely high-risk or high-risk areas, it will resume all socioeconomic activities.
