An intersection between Kim Ma Street and Nguyen Chi Thanh Street in Hanoi
is almost empty on September 2, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh 

Hanoi will continue to impose strict lockdown in 10 districts and partly impose it in five others which are considered high-risk for 15 days starting September 6. 

Residents in Zone 1, or red zone, must "stay where they are" due to high risks of Covid-19 contagion because of high population density, the city orders Friday.

Directive 16, considered the most stringent with people required to stay at home unless for food and emergencies, will continue to be applied there.

Zone 1 includes 10 districts: Tay Ho, Ba Dinh, Cau Giay, Hoan Kiem, Dong Da, Hai Ba Trung, Thanh Xuan, Ha Dong, Thanh Tri, Hoang Mai.

The zone will also include a part of five districts: Nam Tu Liem, Bac Tu Liem, Hoai Duc, Thanh Oai and Thuong Tin.

All 30 roads connecting Zone 1 with Zones 2 and 3 will be closed. There will be 23 checkpoints to prevent traveling between the zones.

Zone 2, which comprises five districts: Long Bien, Gia Lam, Dong Anh, Soc Son and Me Linh, will operate under Directive 15.

This directive requires suspension of social events, bans gatherings of 20 people or more in one place and of 10 people or more outside workplaces, schools and hospitals. A minimum distance of two meters between people in public places should be ensured.

The same directive applies to Zone 3, which comprises 10 outlying districts Ba Vi, Son Tay, Phuc Tho, Dan Phuong, Thach That, Quoc Oai, Chuong My, My Duc, Ung Hoa, Phu Xuyen, and parts of five districts Bac Tu Liem, Nam Tu Liem, Hoai Duc, Thanh Oai, and Thuong Tin. But there will be stricter requirements for manufacturing facilities which will be mobilized to support Zone 1.

Three zones that will adopt different levels of social distancing in Hanoi between
Sept. 6 and 21. Graphics by VnExpress/Tien Thanh

The goal of dividing the city into three zones is to limit commuting from high-risk areas to other areas.

The city now has six major clusters in the districts of Hoang Mai, Ba Dinh, Dong Da, Thanh Xuan and Dan Phuong.

The capital has recorded 3,670 Covid-19 cases in the fourth wave, with 58 added Friday.

The Ministry of Health has demanded localities to test all residents in social distancing areas from now until Sep. 15.

Health authorities will test people at their homes at least three times during the period, either by rapid tests or PCR.