HCMC – Just two days after resumption of business, karaoke lounges, massage parlors, spas and bars in low-risk areas must shut down until further notice amid a recent surge in new Covid-19 cases.
The HCMC government today, November 18, approved the Department of Health’s proposal for reinstating the ban on nonessential services as the city has seen a worrying spike in new coronavirus infections and hospitalizations, the local media reported.
In a document sent to departments, agencies, Thu Duc City and districts, the HCMC government asked the Department of Health to quickly draft Covid-19 safety protocols for nonessential services and submit them to the municipal anti-Covid steering committee for approval.
The heads of departments, agencies, Thu Duc City and districts were assigned to inform service providers and residents and step up inspections and handle violations.
Karaoke lounges, massage parlors, spas and bars in HCMC have been closed for nearly seven months due to the pandemic.
On November 16, the city issued a decision on temporary solutions to safely live with Covid-19, allowing karaoke lounges, massage parlors, spas, bars and cinemas in low-risk areas to reopen. However, employees 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 were asked to operate at 50% and 25% capacity in moderate- and high-risk areas, respectively, but were still banned in extremely high-risk areas.
