Hanoi shuts bars, karaoke parlors from April 30 after one diagnosed with Covid-19

Hanoi, where a man was recently found to have contracted Covid-19, has closed bars, pubs and karaoke parlors since April 30 amid the quick Covid-19 resurgence in the city.

The patient (No.2911), a 28-year-old man in Dong Anh district of Hanoi, met and ate with Covid-19 patient No.2899 in the northern province of Ha Nam on April 22, before the latter was confirmed to be positive for the novel coronavirus. Patient 2899 is a male migrant worker who returned from Japan.

Patient No.2911 is first community case in Hanoi after 73 days. He is a truck driver who has been to many places since coming in contact with Patient 2899.

On April 29, after learning that he had come into contact with an infected man, he reported to the local medical center and isolated himself at home. He tested positive the same day. The building where he lives has been locked down with 21 people inside.

Therefore, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Chu Xuan Dung requested  local residents to raise the disease prevention alert to the highest level.

The Hanoi government has requested the closure of bars, karaoke parlors and dance clubs since April 30. Photo: VTC News

The municipal government required residents to wear face masks in public spaces. The relevant authorities were asked to ramp up to monitor and strictly handle those breaching the regulations on Covid-19 prevention and control.

The city’s leader said the pandemic situation in the coming days would be complicated, especially in the context that throngs of people will return to the city after the holiday.

“Anyone coming back to Hanoi after the holiday is forced to make health declarations,” Dung stressed at a meeting of Hanoi Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control on April 29 afternoon.

Previously, Hanoi city on April 27 ordered to suspend all festive activities and the operation of walking street and continue to limit unnecessary events and activities that draw large gatherings.

In the last 24 hours, Vietnam recorded nine new community cases after over a month of no such cases.

All the new cases are linked to Patient No.2899, who tested positive with the novel coronavirus in the northern province of Ha Nam after completing his mandated two-week quarantine in coastal city of Danang where he tested negative thrice.

At the time of writing, the country’s health ministry has reported 2,913 Covid-19 cases to date including 2,516 recoveries and 35 deaths.

The ministry has also warned of high chances of contagion from illegal border entry and urge people to implement protective measures.