HCDC asks people to strictly follow the Ministry of Health’s 5K message to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Photo courtesy of HCDC

HCM CITY — People coming to HCM City from COVID-19 pandemic-hit areas in Điện Biên, Bắc Ninh and Hà Nam provinces will be quarantined for 21 days.

The HCM City Centre for Disease Control (HCDC) has just announced that people coming from Quế Võ District in Bắc Ninh from May 12, and Công Lý Commune in Hà Nam Province from May 13 will be quarantined in public facilities.

Those coming from Điện Biên will be quarantined at home.

The HCDC said the public should continue to strictly follow the Ministry of Health’s 5K message: khẩu trang (face mask), khử khuẩn (disinfection), khoảng cách (distance), không tụ tập (no gathering), and khai báo y tế (health declaration).

The city Archdiocese has announced it is postponing masses at churches across the city due to the pandemic.

The city has banned all festivals, religious ceremonies, sports tournaments, and all events with 20 people or more.

No more than 20 people are allowed to gather in public places outside offices, schools and hospitals.

Public transport vehicles have been ordered to enhance ventilation, and restaurants failing to ensure social distancing will only be allowed to offer takeaway.

City authorities have warned all agencies and residents to be on high alert to prevent the further spread of COVID, saying the virus is “already in the community” since there have been recent cases of local spread without known sources of infection. VNS