The move came after the city has gone 38 days without community infections and the country’s major COVID-19 hotspots in Da Nang, Quang Nam and Hai Duong were basically put under control.

The local authorities also allowed festivals, fairs and conferences to be organized but participants must wear masks, disinfect hands with sanitizers, have temperature screened, keep safe distance from each other.

Residents are encouraged to stay vigilant, comply with preventive measures at public places and on public transport means, and wash hands regularly with soap or sanitizers.

So far, HCMC has recorded eight local transmissions and seven imported cases in the second wave of COVID-19 (from July 25). Of these, seven are still receiving treatment while others had been declared all-clear.

Earlier,  as the outbreak has been contained, localities like Khanh Hoa, Binh Thuan, Quang Nam in central Viet Nam and Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Dong Nai in the south also reopened non-essential services like bars, karaoke parlors and dance clubs./.