Hanoi permits bars and karaoke businesses to reopen from Sept.16

Information about the reopening of certain establishments was unveiled by Ngo Van Quy, vice chairman of the municipal People's Committee, during September 15 meeting of the Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

Quy noted that the capital has gone 27 consecutive days without any cases of community transmission since August 19.

During the second COVID-19 outbreak that emerged on July 25, Hanoi has recorded 39 positive cases, including 11 involving community infection and 28 imported cases, with no fatalities being reported so far.

As a means of fulfilling the dual goal of combating the epidemic and effectively maintaining socio-economic development, the capital has decided to ease preventive measures.

As such, the city’s leaders have agreed to implement a proposal by the Hoan Kiem district People's Committee to reopen the walking streets around Hoan Kiem lake and the surrounding areas as of September 18.

Despite the gradual easing of regulations, Quy pointed out that there remains a risk of more infection cases emerging, especially with the Government poised to implement plans to resume some international flights over the course of the coming days.

He therefore suggested that related units should continue to take preventive measures such as avoiding large gatherings, wearing face masks in public, thoroughly washing hands with soap, and disinfecting affected areas.

This comes after the capital requested the temporarily suspension of karaoke parlours, discos and bar establishments on August 1 as part of COVID-19 prevention and control measures. 

This marked the second time that these venues have been forced to temporarily closed since the beginning of the year, with the capital previously requesting the shutdown of all non-essential services until early May during the first COVID-19 outbreak.