HCM City to continue applying Directive 16 after September 15

Ho Chi Minh City plans to continue enforcing social distancing orders under Directive 16 after September 15 in response to the sustained threat of COVID-19, according to Duong Anh Duc, vice chairman of the muncipal People's Committee.

Duc stated that the order will remain in place until late September.

Furthermore, several localities that have seen a decrease in a number of COVID-19 cases will see either Directive 16- or Directive 15+ applied to them.

He added that the southern city is also considering the application of green or yellow COVID-19 cards based on their vaccination status; green for two jabs, yellow for one. The cards will play an important role in controlling the movement of people during the economic reopening and recovery period.

However, more time is required for the city’s vaccination data to be put on technology platforms as it has not been fully updated and synchronised yet.

Moreover, the southern metropolis is in the process of speeding up its vaccination campaign and has administered nearly eight million COVID-19 vaccine doses. However, according to recommendations made by the Ministry of Health, it will take time for the vaccines to create antibodies and show their efficacy.

As a result, the city has yet to loosen social distancing measures, the vice chairman added.