Phạm Khánh Phong Lan (second from left), head of the HCM City Food Safety Management Board, and Nguyễn Hữu Hưng (third from left), deputy director of the Department of Health, speak at the “People Ask - The City Responds” livestream programme on Friday. — Photo nld.com.vn

HCM CITY — The city will work with district authorities to inspect pandemic-prevention compliance at restaurants, cafes and other food and beverage places that have resumed dine-in services.

Speaking at the “People Ask - The City Responds” livestream programme on Friday (Oct 29), Phạm Khánh Phong Lan, head of the HCM City Food Safety Management Board, urged customers to be highly cautious when dining at restaurants, cafes and other food and beverage places.

“They should wear a mask and only remove it for eating and drinking to limit the risk of infection,” she said. 

Lan warned about possible risks of infection at places in District 7 and Thủ Đức City, the only two localities in the city permitted to carry out a ‘pilot’ period of selling alcoholic beverages until November 15 due to their current low-risk status.

“People often fail to comply with preventive measures after drinking alcoholic beverages,” she said. 

Some restaurant owners told Việt Nam News they had not reopened or only partially reopened because many workers returned to their hometowns and many workers had yet to be vaccinated. 

The city will create favourable conditions for vaccinations for people who return to work in the city. People can contact local authorities where they live or the establishments where they work to register for vaccination, according to Lan.

The city on Thursday allowed restaurants, cafes and other food and beverages places to provide sit-down services under certain conditions.

Alcoholic drinks remain prohibited, except in wedding venues or restaurants at hotels for tourists.

Food and beverage establishments must close at 9pm and serve at only 50 per cent capacity. They must also prepare soap and hand sanitation products for customers. 

Staff must have either received at least one dose of vaccine or recovered from the disease within the last six months. Frequent testing is also required for employees.

The city has announced the level of pandemic risks in all 22 districts based on the number of new infections, vaccination rates and healthcare capacity.

Nine city districts are at level 1 (new normal), 12 at level two (medium risk), and only Bình Tân District is at level three (high risk). 

Vaccinations for children 

Students wait in line for COVID-19 vaccinations at a vaccination site in HCM City. — VNA/VNS Photo Thu Hương

Also speaking during the livestream, Nguyễn Hữu Hưng, deputy director of the Department of Health, said the city planned to vaccinate children aged 12 to 17. 

According to the plan students in the age group will get the shots at school. Children who don’t attend school will get the shots at their place of residence. 

Children who are being treated at hospitals will be vaccinated at the hospitals, including children from other provinces.

In response to people’s concerns about vaccinations for children with underlying health conditions, Hưng said that obesity, high blood pressure or cancer were the most common health conditions of children. 

“Parents should take their children with underlying conditions to injection sites where the children will be screened for specific instructions. A hospital transfer certificate will be issued for the child to be vaccinated at the hospital for timely handling of any unexpected incidents,” he noted.

According to Hưng, the brand of vaccine approved for children is Pfizer with the same dose as adults. Clinical trials show the Pfizer vaccine is 90.7 per cent effective against asymptomatic infection in children.

Parents must keep an eye on their children for at least 30 minutes at the injection site for any reactions after injection. Children must be monitored for 28 days, especially in the first three days and around the clock.

“In case of a serious reaction, the child must be taken to the nearest medical facility for timely treatment.” 

After the injection, children should limit vigorous exercise such as running, jumping, playing soccer, and others.

The city on Wednesday began vaccinations for 1,800 students aged 16-17 in Củ Chi District and District 1, becoming the first locality in the country to vaccinate children. 

The Ministry of Health has announced a nationwide campaign to vaccinate children, starting with those aged 16 and 17, in November. — VNS