HCMC – The HCMC government has allowed karaoke lounges, massage parlors, spas, bars and cinemas in low-risk areas to reopen, but they must meet certain requirements.
Under the municipal government’s decision on temporary solutions to safely live with Covid-19, employees of massage lounges, spas, karaoke parlors, bars and discos should have received two vaccine doses or recovered from Covid-19. Guests must also meet the same requirements or test negative for Covid-19 within 72 hours before using these services.
These services can operate at 50% and 25% capacity in moderate- and high-risk areas, respectively, but are still banned in extremely high-risk areas.
Dine-in services have been allowed in low- and moderate-risk areas but limited in high-risk areas. However, restaurants, eateries and coffee shops must comply with the guidelines of the municipal government, the Department of Industry and Trade and the Food Safety Management Board.
In addition, libraries, cinemas and artistic events can restart operations in low-risk areas if they meet safety requirements. These places and events must operate at no more than half and 25% capacity in moderate- and high-risk areas, respectively.
Street vendors, including lottery ticket sellers, can work in low-risk communes and wards. Those working in moderate- and high-risk areas must be fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19. They must not work in extremely high-risk areas.
In addition, indoor activities, such as weddings, funerals, meetings, seminars and cultural and sports events, in low-risk areas can be held without restrictions on participant numbers. But in moderate- and high-risk areas, participants in these activities must not exceed half and 25% of the capacity of the venues, respectively.
The city also allowed motorbike ride-hailing services to operate at half capacity. They can resume operations when the city is at low risk but have to suspend operations at high risk. The city is now at moderate risk.
Meanwhile, traditional motorbike taxi drivers can only operate when the city is at low risk.
Under the decision, residents must have green passes, meaning they must have got at least one Covid vaccine shot for at least 14 days or have recovered from Covid-19 to participate in these activities.
Those who cannot get the vaccines must have certificates from healthcare agencies. Children who are not old enough to get the vaccines can participate in these services accompanied by adults.
From November 16, residents will use PC-Covid, the single Covid-19 prevention and control mobile app of Vietnam.
