Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh agreed to allow 16 southern localities to impose 14-day social distancing rules in accordance with the Government’s Directive No. 16 to contain COVID-19. 

These localities are: Can Tho, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Tieng Giang, Long An, Vinh Long, Dong Thap, Ben Tre, Hau Giang, An Giang, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang, Tra Vinh, Ca Mau and Kien Giang.

The decision to impose 14-day social distancing rules will be made by Chairpersons of People’s Committees of the aforesaid localities no later than July 19.

The Government chief called on citizens and business community in these localities to support and cooperate with local authorities and strictly abide by the Ministry of Health’s preventive measures.

He also asked local authorities to ensure timely and sufficient food supply, particularly for the poor and unemployed people.

Earlier, Ho Chi Minh City and its surrounding provinces of Binh Duong and Dong Nai had applied social distancing rules in line with the Government's Directive No. 16.

Under Directive No. 16, only factories, businesses and service establishments producing and providing essential goods and services are allowed to open and asked to ensure workers follow strict health guidelines. 

All people are requested to stay at home and only go out in case of emergencies, buying food or medicine, or going to work at factories and essential services that are not closed down or halt operations. 

If leaving home, people are requested to keep a minimum distance of two meters from each other. Any gathering of more than two people in public outside of offices, schools and hospitals is banned.

The southern region is being hit hard by the fourth wave of COVID-19 resurgence, in which Ho Chi Minh City is the biggest hotspot with 24,993 infection cases, followed by Binh Duong (2,299) and Dong Thap (1,080).

As of 6:00 on July 17, Viet Nam recorded 46,292 COVID-19 cases, including 42,714 domestic cases documented in 58 cities and provinces since April 27, 2021./.