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Title: Unveiling Directive 18: Ho Chi Minh City’s Strategy for Economic Revival

As per the directive issued by the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City on October 1st, the metropolis has officially embarked on Directive 18, aimed at 'gradually reviving the economy'. So, what exactly is Directive 18, and what does it entail for the city's economic recovery?

Administrator

16 July, 2024

116

On the afternoon of October 1st, Ho Chi Minh City Chairman Phan Van Mai officially issued Directive 18 on continuing to control and adjust COVID-19 prevention measures and gradually recovering and developing the city’s socio-economic situation.

What is Directive 18 about? What do people need to prepare before going out, and are they allowed to return to their hometowns? Let’s find out more below.

1 What is Directive 18?

From October 1st, the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City issued Directive 18, stating that the city will continue to control COVID-19 prevention while gradually recovering and developing its socio-economic activities. This includes the following key points:

Education and training activities: Continue with indirect teaching and learning methods. Face-to-face training for adults over 18 years old who have been fully vaccinated can be conducted.
Indoor activities (meetings, training, workshops, etc.): A maximum of 10 people can gather; this number can increase to 60 if all participants are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19.
Outdoor activities: A maximum of 15 people can gather; this number can increase to 90 if all participants are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19.
Production, trade, business, and service activities (including food provision, supermarkets, gas stations, etc.): These activities can operate while ensuring compliance with the “Criteria for safe COVID-19 prevention and control” specific to each respective field.
Haircutting and shampooing services: These businesses can operate at a maximum of 50% capacity.
The following activities must remain suspended: Bars, beer clubs, pubs, spas, massage parlors, beauty services, dining services, movie theaters, circuses, dance halls, karaoke venues, electronic game centers, makeshift markets, street vendors, and lottery ticket sellers.

What is Directive 18?

2 What do Ho Chi Minh City residents need to prepare before going out?

Use the QR code scanning app for travel declaration

Ho Chi Minh City requires individuals traveling outside to use the QR codes from the PC-COVID application and the Y tế HCM app, which displays their vaccination history.

Provide proof of recovery or vaccination

In the absence of a QR code, individuals must present documents proving that they have recovered from COVID-19 within the last 180 days or have been vaccinated (at least one dose for a two-dose vaccine, and at least 14 days after vaccination) when requested by authorities.

Follow the 5K message

When traveling outside, residents must continue to follow the 5K message: Wear a mask, Disinfect, Declare health status, Keep distance, and Do not gather. These measures ensure the safety of individuals and the community in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

What do Ho Chi Minh City residents need to prepare before going out?

3 Are Ho Chi Minh City residents allowed to return to their hometowns?

According to the directive, Ho Chi Minh City residents are not allowed to travel independently to other provinces or leave the city. This means that residents cannot drive back to their hometowns on their own.

However, if residents wish to return to their hometowns by bus, they need to contact the Provincial Fellow Countrymen Association in Ho Chi Minh City for support.

Are Ho Chi Minh City residents allowed to return to their hometowns?

The above information outlines the key points of Directive 18, which will be officially implemented from October 1st. Let’s work together to comply with these directives to push back the COVID-19 pandemic effectively.