The Miền Tây (Western) Bus Station in HCM City’s Bình Tân District. All passenger transport activities from the city to other cities and provinces can operate with a limited number of licensed vehicles and trips, depending on one of four COVID-19 risk levels, as of October 27. — VNS Photo Nguyễn Diệp

HCM CITY — All passenger transport by taxi, public bus, contract cars, tourist cars, and fixed-route buses from HCM City to other cities and provinces are allowed to operate from October 27 with a limited number of licensed vehicles and trips, depending on one of four COVID-19 risk levels.

The city’s Department of Transport has announced traffic regulations that specify where vehicles can work following new guidelines under the Government’s Resolution No. 128.

Under the resolution, the four levels of pandemic risk are as follows: Level 1: low risk (new normal) – green; Level 2: medium risk – yellow; Level 3: high risk – orange; and Level 4: very high risk – red.

Fifty-five of 64 cities and provinces across the country have completed their assessment pandemic risk levels. HCM City as a whole (each district varies) has been assessed at level 2, or at medium risk.

Accordingly, all types of passenger transport travelling from the city to other cities and provinces that are at level 1 can operate normally. Vehicles are not allowed to stop or park in localities that are at level 4 if they pass through them.

All types of passenger transport from the city to other cities and provinces at level 2 can operate if they meet the requirements of the transport department’s safety criteria.

If travelling from HCM city to other cities and provinces at level 3, all cars providing passenger transport services will be limited.

The city’s Department of Transport will announce a schedule for city public bus routes. The operation of inter-provincial public buses must be agreed upon by all relevant provincial authorities.

Units providing taxis, contract cars and tourist cars are required to operate no more than 50 per cent of their total number of licensed vehicles.

Passenger buses on fixed routes are allowed to operate no more than 50 per cent of the total number of licensed trips per month.

Transport of workers and experts from HCM City to other cities and provinces must be agreed upon by all relevant provincial authorities.

All operating vehicles are required to meet safety criteria for transport businesses in pandemic prevention and control issued by the city’s transport department, while ensuring a safe distance for passengers (not required for sleeper buses).

The city has suspended the operation of all passenger transport to other cities and provinces classified at level 4, except for the transport of workers and experts, and taxis and other vehicles with QR code identification certificates issued by the city’s transport department.

From October 27, passenger transport activities by waterway within HCM city and on inter-provincial routes between the city and provinces of Bình Dương, Đồng Nai, Long An and Tiền Giang are allowed to operate if they meet safety requirements and measures on pandemic control required by the city’s transport department and other localities.

Waterway passenger transport between the city and Bà Rịa -Vũng Tàu Province will be allowed to reopen when a notice is issued by the province’s Department of Transport. — VNS