Vietnam’s Ministry of Health recorded 3,092 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, four of those were imported and the rest domestic. Ho Chi Minh reported 909 cases, Dong Nai came in next with 647 and Binh Duong with 483. The country’s patient tally is now at 853,842.
Other cases were recorded in Tay Ninh (274), An Giang (104), Kien Giang (80), Tien Giang (72), Binh Thuan (61), Long An (59), Dong Thap (49), Dak Lak (44), Hau Giang (36), Khanh Hoa (35), Lam Dong (28), Tra Vinh (21), Can Tho (20), Quang Nam (17), Ha Nam (15), Vinh Long (14), Dak Nong (12), Ben Tre (12), Ba Ria – Vung Tau (11), Binh Phuoc (10), Quang Ngai (10), Binh Dinh (8 ), Lao Cai (7), Quang Binh (7), Nghe An (7), Ninh Thuan (6), Thanh Hoa (6), Bac Lieu (6), Bac Ninh (4), Thua Thien-Hue (3), Phu Yen (2), Ha Tinh (2), Ha Noi (1), Da Nang (1), Thai Binh (1), Hai Phong (1), Vinh Phuc (1), Phu Tho (1), and Kon Tum (1).
As for the recoveries, 719 were added in the last 24 hours. Vietnam now has a total of 788,005 recovered cases or nearly 93% of the national caseload.
However, 81 fatalities were reported during the same period, bringing the death toll to 20,950 or 2.4% of the total infections.
As of latest, Vietnam has vaccinated around 39.8 million adults with at least one COVID-19 shot and 16.5 million have received two doses.
On Thursday morning, the Ministry of Health approved those aged 12—17 to receive COVID-19 vaccines, with a priority to those aged 16-17. The vaccines will be administered in two doses, both shots must have the same manufacturers or brand. In addition to that, parents or legal guardians must sign their consent for the child’s vaccination.
The MoH has not confirmed yet which types of vaccine will be used for children aged 12-17. But so far, only the Pfizer vaccine has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this particular age range.
Once all conditions are met, localities can start planning the vaccination drive and begin giving out first vaccine shots from later this month, the health ministry said.
New guidelines on safe adaptation
To support the reopening of the economy and now that the capacity of the healthcare sector has gradually improved and vaccine coverage is increasing among high-risk groups and urban residents, the government of Vietnam has issued a new set of guidelines on safe adaptation to the COVID-19 pandemic. Signed by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, Resolution 128 specified four levels of risks and set out response measures applicable to the corresponding activities of organizations, public agencies and businesses.
To assess the level of pandemic risk, the new guidelines set out three criteria which include the number of new infections in the community, the coverage of vaccinations, and the ability to receive and treat patients at all levels.
In the same way, Resolution 128 stipulated four levels of pandemic risk:
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Level 1: Low-risk (new normal) – Green Zone
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Level 2: Medium-risk – Yellow Zone
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Level 3: High-risk – Orange Zone
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Level 4: Very high-risk – Red Zone
The respective city and province officials shall decide to raise or lower their COVID-19 risk level, according to the Ministry of Health. When risk levels have to be raised, the local authorities must inform citizens and businesses at least 48 hours in advance.
In order to ensure accuracy and efficiency, the decision of the pandemic level will be assessed at the lowest level or below the commune level. Based on the pandemic situation and vaccination rate, each locality shall specify the limit on the number of participants and the scope of activities. Priority will be given to those who have been given the full two doses of vaccine and those who have recovered from COVID-19.
Green Zones
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Indoor gatherings are allowed and no limit on the number of participants
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Road, inland waterway and sea passenger transport are allowed
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Interprovincial and intra-provincial transportation of goods
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Ride-hailing services
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Production and business establishments, enterprises, cooperatives, households businesses, traffic works, construction, business and service establishments
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Trade centers, supermarkets, markets, restaurants and eateries
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Hairdressers, beauty salons, massage parlors, nightclubs, karaoke venues, internet and video game cafes
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Public agencies, religious sites, resorts, hotels, tourism sites, cultural, art, and sports activities
Yellow Zone
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Indoor gatherings are allowed with a limit on the number of participants
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Road, inland waterway and sea passenger transport BUT frequency must be reduced
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Interprovincial and intra-provincial transportation of goods
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Ride-hailing services
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Production and business establishments, enterprises, cooperatives, households businesses, traffic works, construction, business and service establishments
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Trade centers, supermarkets, markets, restaurants and eateries
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Hairdressers, beauty salons, massage parlors, nightclubs, karaoke venues, internet and video game cafes BUT limit the number of people allowed
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Public agencies, religious sites, resorts, hotels, tourism sites; cultural, art, and sports activities BUT limit the number of people allowed
Orange Zone
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Indoor gatherings will not be allowed to take place or only with a limited number of participants
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Limit or stop all road, inland waterway and sea passenger transport
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Interprovincial and intra-provincial transportation of goods
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Ride-hailing services, local authorities may regulate the number of people allowed
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Production and business establishments, enterprises, cooperatives, households businesses, traffic works, construction, business and service establishments
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Trade centers, supermarkets, markets, restaurants and eateries
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Hairdressers, beauty salons, massage parlors, nightclubs, karaoke venues, internet and video game cafes BUT limit the number of people allowed
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Public agencies, religious sites, resorts, hotels, tourism sites; cultural, art, and sports activities BUT limit the number of people allowed
Red Zone
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Indoor gatherings will not be allowed to take place or only with a limited number of participants
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Limit or stop all road, inland waterway and sea passenger transport
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Interprovincial and intra-provincial transportation of goods
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Ride-hailing services, local authorities may regulate the number of people allowed
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Production and business establishments, enterprises, cooperatives, households businesses, traffic works, construction, business and service establishments
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Trade centers, supermarkets, markets, restaurants and eateries BUT limit the number of staff and people buying at the same time
Whichever zone you’re under or going, individuals must comply with the 5K message, use apps for medical declarations, vaccination, and use QR codes. Local authorities are allowed to implement additional safety measures but must not compromise the movement of goods, production and business activities, and mobility of people.
Resolution 128 will be implemented simultaneously nationwide.