While the majority of its most crowded metropolises enter another week of mandatory social distancing, Vietnam is also putting a stop to intercity buses between high-risk regions.
Two days ago, Vietnam decided to extend the social distancing order for another week to curb Covid-19 spread, though this only applies to certain groups of localities deemed outbreak hot spots.
Along with the announcement, health authorities categorized the provinces into three groups based on their risk level. Group 1 comprises high-risk regions, including Hanoi, Saigon, Da Nang, Quang Ninh, Lao Cai, Bac Ninh, Ninh Binh, Quang Nam, Binh Thuan, Khanh Hoa, Ha Tinh and Tay Ninh.
Group 2 is provinces with moderate risk, including Binh Duong, Can Tho, Thai Nguyen, Nam Dinh, Ha Nam, Dong Nai, Nghe An, Hai Phong, Kien Giang, Thua Thien-Hue, Soc Trang, Lang Son, An Giang, Binh Phuoc, Dong Thap. The rest of the country, deemed low-risk, belongs in Group 3.
At the time, only Group 1 was required to continue the strict isolation measures, but the directive has since been implemented for provinces in Group 2 as well.
Recently, the Ministry of Transport issued a document to provincial and municipal authorities detailing new restrictions, taking effect from April 17 to 22, placed on movement between provinces, Thanh Nien reports.
Specifically, buses and ships are forbidden from transporting passengers both within and between provinces of Group 1 and 2, save for emergency situations. Transport for citizens who finish their 14-day stay in quarantine facilities is subject to arrangements by the local department of health.
For localities in Group 3, passenger transport is allowed, but only between those in the same group.
Regarding air travel, only three routes are allowed to operate at the moment: Hanoi–Saigon (six flights a day), Hanoi–Da Nang (two flights a day), and Da Nang–Saigon (two flights a day).
At the moment, all passengers landing in Saigon are required to get tested for the coronavirus, while Da Nang applies compulsory quarantine for those arriving from Saigon and Hanoi. Saigon's Cat Lai and Binh Khanh ferries are still operating, albeit with limited hours.
For travel by train, only two Saigon–Hanoi round-trips are allowed a day, while the rest of the routes are suspended.
