According to the survey conducted on April 14 among 500 Vietnamese, only 5 percent believed that the country should stop social distancing, while another 6 percent were neutral.

The sentiment was the same across North, Central and South Vietnam.

HCM City's streets are empty during the social distancing period from April 1-15.

When asked about their present employment status, 80 percent had negatively been impacted by Covid-19 and the required social distancing, but still elected to maintain the policy.

“With 35 percent of people on reduced pay and work hours and another 45 percent having either lost their livelihoods, or at least temporarily, it is a clear indication that Vietnamese people are placing health and family above the mighty dong,” Ralf Matthaes, managing director of Infocus Mekong Research, said.

“It’s good to see that citizens still have their priorities in the right place. As they say, better safe than sorry,” Matthaes said.

A number of localities across the country have proposed extending the social distancing measures beyond April 15, according to the National Steering Committee on the Prevention and Control of Covid-19.

HCM City’s authorities have also suggested extending the measures until the end of the month. Several localities have said social distancing should last until the end of May.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc recently urged the public to continue to strictly follow social distancing guidelines, which are scheduled to take effect until April 15.

PM Phuc has asked the national committee to propose further plans, and the Government will make the decision on the next steps on April 15.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said the steering committee had collected opinions from its sub-committees on the imposition of social distancing.

The decision to extend social distancing will be made based on feedback collected from sectors and localities, according to PM Phuc.

Provincial leader urges strict implementation of Prime Minister’s order of social distancing rules

(BGO) – The Chairman of Bac Giang provincial People’s Committee (PPC) on March 31 issued urgent correspondence to request the provincial organizations, departments, sectors and agencies; Chairpersons of the People’s Committee in the districts and city to strictly implement the Prime Minister’s Directive No 15 and 16 as well as the urgent measures. 

National social distancing: Necessary services not to be closed down

Essential business facilities and services are not going to be closed during nationwide social distancing as ordered by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

PM orders strict nationwide social distancing rules, starting April 1

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has issued a range of stringent social distancing measures, including restricting people from leaving their homes and banning gatherings of more than two people in public.

How 'Social Distancing' actually works

To stop the spread of coronavirus, health officials have instructed the public to practice social distancing -- staying home, avoiding crowds and refraining from touching one another.

Source: VNA