Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (Photo: VGP)

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made the decision on Wednesday following a meeting with the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control. The Committee classified the 63 localities into three groups – high, medium, and low risk. 

The Prime Minister said medium and low-risk localities must follow Directive 15, which includes bans of gatherings of 20 or more people in a room and 10 or more people outside of offices, schools and hospitals. He ordered all localities to continue to suspend unnecessary activities. Local authorities must prepare plans to recover the economy after the pandemic.

He urged the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control to consider specific conditions to gradually lift social distancing to hit two targets: control the pandemic and develop the socio-economy.  

The 12 high-risk localities are Hanoi, Lao Cai, Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, Ninh Binh (Truong Yen), Da Nang, Quang Nam, Binh Thuan, Khanh Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh and Ha Tinh.

The 15 medium-risk localities are Binh Duong, Can Tho, Dong Nai, Ha Nam, Hai Phong, Kien Giang, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Thai Nguyen, Thua Thien-Hue, Soc Trang, Lang Son, An Giang, Binh Phuoc, and Dong Thap.