He also asked restaurants and cafes housed indoors to ensure disinfection and keep customers at least a meter apart or have screens between them. Takeaways are encouraged, he said.

Mica table partitions installed at a restaurant in Hanoi to limit direct contact among diners and prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Businesses who fail to observe the Ministry of Health’s Covid-19 prevention and control regulations will be forced to cease operation, he emphasised.

In a similar move, Ho Chi Minh City will shut its massage and sauna services, theatres, cinemas, and gaming rooms from 18:00 May 3, as directed by Nguyen Thanh Phong, chairman of the municipal People's Committee at a meeting of the Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control this afternoon.

The city’s authorities also ordered the closure of non-urgent meetings and conferences. If events are to be held this week, the number of attendees must be limited.

People returning to the city are asked to fill in compulsory medical declarations after the four-day public holidays lasting from April 30 to May 3.

Also on May 3, the authorities of An Giang, Lam Dong, Quang Ngai, Thai Nguyen and Quang Nam provinces also requested the closure of all unnecessary services like bars, karaoke parlours, discos, massage services and game rooms until further notice.

Local people are urged to strictly follow the 5K motto: Khau trang (wear a facemask) – Khu khuan (disinfection) – Khoang cach (keeping distance) – Khong tap trung (no gatherings) – Khai bao y te (making health declarations), so as to contain the pandemic.

Hanoi cancels entertainment events to prevent Covid-19

The Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports announced on April 30 that art performances to celebrate the 46th anniversary of southern liberation and May Day will be cancelled in a bid to prevent the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Vietnam records 14 more Covid-19 cases

The Ministry of Health confirmed 14 new Covid-19 patients Saturday evening - three community transmission cases, and 11 imported ones.

More localities suspend festivals as Covid-19 risks loom large

Port city Hai Phong and Quang Nam Province, home to ancient town Hoi An, canceled all large-scale festivals amid high Covid-19 risks.

Vietnam to release $520 bln from state budget for Covid-19 vaccines

Part of a sum saved from last year's budget expenditure will be used to purchase Covid-19 vaccines, as approved by the parliament.

Top tourist destinations near fully booked despite Covid-19 menace

Vietnam's top tourist destinations are expecting large crowds during the upcoming holiday despite bigger Covid-19 risks, booking data from leading travel firms shows.

Source: NDO