These five taskforce groups are exempted from the citywide night-time restrictions being imposed from Monday night for a week.

The exemption decision was signed Monday by HCMC People's Committee Chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong.

All city residents have been required to remain indoors after 6 p.m from July 26 to August 1. Shops and business establishments must be shut down from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following day.

For the purchase of essential food and foodstuffs, localities shall distribute vouchers to households on even and odd days, divide the shopping time frame to minimize the density and person-to-person contact.

The city has assigned related district agencies to organize checkpoints and stations to patrol and supervise round the clock at inter-ward roads, strictly handle violations, and hold in administrative detention those opposing law enforcement officers.

The current situation is very dangerous, prolonging the pandemic. If the epidemic is not controlled, it will be worse, forcing the city to apply stronger and higher measures, officials warned.

HCMC, currently the Covid-19 epicenter in Vietnam, has recorded 66,422 cases under the fourth wave that hit the country late April.