Health

Hanoi reimposes mask mandate as Covid-19 numbers rise

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Apr 19 (EFE).- Hanoi authorities on Wednesday imposed the mandatory use of masks on public transport and for workers in a variety of sectors due to a rise in Covid-19 cases.

In an order issued Tuesday night, the authorities of the Vietnamese capital announced that masks will be compulsory for workers in close contact with the public.

The reimposition of masks, which ceased to be mandatory in September, affects employees of supermarkets and shopping centers, gyms, cinemas, bars, karaoke joints, restaurants, massage centers, public transport, hairdressers and theaters, as well as those who are in contact with tourists.

Hanoi has recorded the highest number of cases in the country in recent days, with nearly 100 infections each day out of around 1,500 nationwide, and with at least 146 patients admitted to hospital, 20 of them serious, according to VnExpress.

In addition, the city’s health department confirmed Monday its first detection of the highly contagious Omicron XBB.19.1 subvariant.

Vietnam managed to contain Covid-19 in the first months in 2020, with few infections and deaths, but suffered a strong wave in 2021 that forced long lockdowns in the main cities.

Since the start of the pandemic, the Southeast Asian country has recorded more than 11.5 million cases, with 43,186 deaths. EFE

esj/tw

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