Vietnam prime minister urges for relaxation of overly strict lockdowns

Prime minister Pham Minh Chinh said major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) have set measures to curb the spread of the virus, including social-distancing and quarantine for people returning from affected areas. 

“Some locations, however, have slapped rigid and extreme measures that have hit production and business activities, putting supply chains and large-scale production at risk of disruption,” he said, calling for a more targeted approach to preventive measures. 

Local governments in Dong Nai province, which is home to 32 industrial parks, have been criticised for its 21-day mandatory self-quarantine, or paid quarantine at hotels, for people who return from Ho Chi Minh City from June 5. 

To avoid quarantine, many goods trucks and workers on passenger buses and motorbikes have cancelled their trips to the province, according to Bloomberg. 

READ: Vietnam’s manufacturing companies push for vaccination of workers

Meanwhile, businesses are trying to procure COVID-19 vaccines through the authorities and qualified suppliers to inoculate their workers. However, deputy prime minister Vu Duc Dam has said, “The government will ensure enough vaccine supply, so enterprises should not rush to buy vaccines on their own.”

He added that for any company that is able to acquire vaccines before September this year, the government will consider granting an import licence within five days, according to VNExpress.