Hanoi seeks to resume economic activities

Hanoi’s authorities have considered reopening a number of activities for the economic recovery of the capital city whose economic growth rate is aimed at 4.5%-5% this year.

Chairwoman of the Hanoi People’s Council Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc at a meeting on September 11. Photo: Kinhtedothi

Related agencies need to prepare for relaxing the operating conditions of services involving large  number of people or implying  high risk, Chairwoman of the Hanoi People’s Council Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc said Friday. 

The move is aimed at pursuing the government’s dual target including containing the virus and developing economy to “boost revenues to offset damage caused by Covid-19”. 

In the preparations for the reopening of the economy, the municipal authorities have stressed the importance on ensuring safety in hospital, quarantine facilities, and at school.

Vietnam has begun the new academic year on September 5 with nearly 23 million schoolchildren from kindergarten to high school levels. Hanoi has the highest number of pupils with more than two million.

Hanoi expects to boost economic growth to offset damage caused by Covid-19. Photo: Dantri

Hanoi has closed non-essential services since August 1 after SARS-CoV-2 resurfaced in the community in Vietnam last week of July.

So far, bar and karaoke lounges are still closed and the city maintains a 5K (in Vietnamese) message launched early this month by the Ministry of Health that means "Khau trang" (face mask) - "Khu khuan" (disinfection) - "Khoang cach" (distance) - "Khong tu tap" (no gathering) - "Khai bao y te" (health declaration).

Meanwhile, the authority keeps an eye on the implementation of precautionary measures toward foreign visitors after Vietnam announced to resume some international air routes.

Hanoi will become one of the main destinations of the incoming visitors.

Deputy Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Ngo Van Quy has warned local authorities of risk might be caused by flows of visitors.

So far, Hanoi has undergone 25 days without local infections.