Non-essential shops stay open in Hanoi despite shutdown order

Many non-essential businesses and services are still open in Hanoi though the city and 27 other provinces and cities must carry out social distancing at least until April 22. 

On April 19, a barbershop in Hoang Hoa Tham street, Ba Dinh district was still serving customers, in which both customers and barbers were not wearing face masks.

During the first three days of extended social distancing (April 16, 17, 18), Hai Ba Trung district’s ward-level authorities handled 113 cases violating the order. On April 17, 51 cases were sanctioned (mostly for not wearing face masks and leaving home without justifiable reasons). 

In Thanh Xuan district, the competent authorities penalized more than 40 cases contravening protection measures in the disease prevention and control, and three non-essential business establishments. 

In Cau Giay District, on April 18, district authorities inspected and handled 48 violations. In particular, 37 cases were fined a combined amount of VND7.4 million (US$314.8) for not wearing face masks in public places; other 11 cases were fined VND2.2 million (US$93.6) for leaving home with no justifiable reasons and failing to keep a safe distance between each other.

Most of Hanoi’s streets were crowded last weekend. On the afternoon of April 19, Phan Dinh Phung street, Ba Dinh district were filled with vehicles, more congested than on the previous Sundays.

A group of people gathered for tea drinking and chatting on Giang Van Minh street, Ba Dinh district. The Prime Minister’s Directive No.16 requires local residents to restrict outdoor activities if there is no necessary work, keep a minimum distance of 2m among each other and wear face masks.

Many shops selling mobile accessories, clothes, barbershops, considered as non-essential businesses, are still open on April 19 in Hanoi.

A busy shop selling ornamental fish in Hang Dau street in Hoan Kiem district full of clients.

The hair salon on Doi Can street, Ba Dinh district was open on April 18.

On April 15, chairing a meeting of the city Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Duc Chung emphasized that the city was in the decisive week of the fight against Covid-19, only when people abide by this directive can the pandemic be curbed.

Many people still kept the habit of doing exercises in public areas such as parks and lake sides. Ngoc Khanh ward’s security guards asked the residents to return home but only a few of them paid heed.