In a plan sent to the city’s administration recently, the department called for the resumption of bus services in two phases.

Phase one will last 15 days from Wednesday to have buses operate at half the frequency compared to before.

Drivers and conductors must have received at least one Covid-19 jab and tested frequently. All passengers must follow Health Ministry protocol on Covid-19 prevention, including wearing masks and keeping a safe distance.

When Hanoi has reopened all socio-economic activities, buses would operate at a frequency of 80 percent in the second phase, the director of the department, Duong Duc Tuan, said Monday.

For this phase, the department also proposed allowing other types of transport including passenger buses, contract cars, and vehicles carrying experts and workers to resume operation, with each unit deploying no more than half their total number of vehicles.

Hanoi started easing social distancing requirements since Sept. 15 depending on risk classifications in different areas and as planned, would keep lifting restrictions after Sept. 21 (Tuesday).

By mid-Sept, Vietnam’s capital had eased the rule across 19 of its 30 districts.