Hanoi (VNA) – Thirty-two cities and provincesacross the country have declared their COVID-19 risk levels by October 18, following theGovernment’s new guidelines on safe adaption to the pandemic outlined inResolution 128/NQ-CP.

The guidelines set out three indicators to assess thelevel of pandemic risk – the number of new community infections, the coverageof vaccinations, and the ability to receive and treat patients at all levels.

Accordingly, 18 provinces have been at Level1. They are Lai Chau, Cao Bang, Lao Cai, Bac Kan, Dien Bien, Tuyen Quang, ThaiNguyen, Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Nam Dinh, Quang Ninh, Quang Ngai, Phu Yen, DongNai, Ben Tre, Binh Thuan, and Soc Trang.

Fourteen cities and provinces at Level 2 include Vinh Phuc,Phu Tho, Son La, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Ha Tinh, Da Nang, Quang Tri, Dak Lak, CanTho, Long An, Tien Giang, Bac Lieu and Vinh Long.

Though the capital city of Hanoi has yet to declare itsrisk level, the municipal Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC Hanoi)has assessed the city’s first and second indicators (the number of new communityinfections and vaccine coverage) as Level 1.

Many other localities also have not officially announcedtheir status but they have issued instructions and taken measures to safelylive with the pandemic so as to revive socio-economic development.

Under Resolution 128, four levels of pandemic risk areintroduced as follows: Level 1: Low-risk (new normal) – labeled green; Level 2:Medium-risk – labeled yellow; Level 3: High-risk – labeled orange and Level 4:Very high-risk – labeled red.

Based on instructions of the Ministry of Health, citiesand provinces shall decide to raise or lower their COVID-19 risk levels. In caseof raising the pandemic assessment risk, local authorities shall have to informcitizens and businesses at least 48 hours in advance.

Localities, based on the pandemic situation andvaccination rate, shall specify the limit on the number of participants and thescope of activities. Priority will be given to those who have been given thefull two doses of vaccines and those who have recovered from COVID-19.

For example, indoor gatherings will not be allowed totake place or only with a limited number of participants in red and orangezones, while in green zones, there’s no limit on the number of participants.

Road, inland waterway and sea passenger transport willhave to stop or limit operations in red and orange zones. The frequency of suchactivities must be reduced in yellow zones. 

Interprovincial and intra-provincial transportation ofgoods are allowed to operate at all four levels, with strict adherence topandemic prevention and control measures./.