The proposal is contained in a socio-economic recovery plan that the town is expected to submit to the provincial administration next Tuesday.

If the Ba Ria-Vung Tau People's Committee approves the proposal, Vung Tau's gradual reopening process would happen in four phases.

In the first phase that will last the end of September, low-risk wards in the town would relax certain restrictions on travel and business operations, like allowing traditional markets to reopen, but only selling essential goods.

The second phase, to last for all of October, would allow businesses and families who produce, process and sell food products, food takeaway services and veterinarian and agricultural facilities, among others, to operate between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. every day.

Workers of these establishments must be tested for Covid-19 every three days, and they must pay the testing fees. Workers of those establishments whose entire workforce consists of the town’s residents would be allow to go to work in their own vehicles.

Also in the second phase, people in low-risk areas would be allowed to engage in sports activities and physical exercises outside.

The third phase, November to December, would allow gyms, billiards, yoga and fitness facilities to reopen. Public fitness and sport facilities would be allowed as long as their participants have been fully vaccinated, and no more than 10 people gather in the same area at a time. Food and beverage establishments will be encouraged to do takeaways and accept online orders.

Also in the third phase, certain tourism sites would be allowed to reopen. Tourists must be fully vaccinated. People will be allowed to go to the beaches from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. every day, maintaining social distance norms. All restaurants will be allowed to operate, but cannot have customers exceeding 50 percent of their maximum capacity.

Bus and coach stations would also be allowed to operate. Construction sites where work is in progress would be allowed to continue with barricades and the stipulation that not more than 10 workers can be on the site.

The fourth phase, starting in 2022 and would further opening up for socio-economic development.

Vung Tau has recorded 1,360 Covid-19 cases so far and has spent over two months under social distancing order. Starting next Wednesday, 17 wards and communes are expected to become low-risk areas.