HCMC on Thursday ordered tightened coronavirus restrictions in high-risk areas, suspending bars and clubs as also limiting certain non-essential activities.

Duong Anh Duc, deputy chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, said 13 communes and wards with high coronavirus risks have to undergo restrictions with peak infections reached in the next two weeks.

"We're seeing a high number of Covid-19 cases everywhere: from schools to businesses to families. It's a worrying sign," said Duc, adding that the number of people being treated at home has also rise significantly and it would be "dangerous" if the number of infections exceeds the current capacity.

Duc asked districts following existing coronavirus guidelines to restrict activities in accordance with each area's coronavirus risk level.

Areas with high risk would need to limit activities for weddings, funerals, festivals, massage and beauty parlors, in-person dining and movie theaters, and suspend bars, dance clubs and karaoke parlors.

Tang Chi Thuong, director of the HCMC Department of Health, said most districts have recorded rising Covid-19 cases over the past week, with some even doubling over the previous weeks.

Right now, the southern city has 13 high risk wards and communes: ward 3 in District 5; wards 5, 7, 11 and 12 in District 10; ward 11 in District 11; Vinh Loc A and Vinh Loc B communes in Binh Chanh District; Ba Diem Commune in Hoc Mon District; and wards Tam Phu, Tang Nhon Phu B, An Phu and An Loi Dong in Thu Duc City.

Areas are classified into low-risk, medium-risk, high-risk and very high-risk based on criteria including vaccination coverage, the number of Covid-19 infections and medical capabilities.

HCMC has recorded over 541,900 Covid-19 cases so far, with 20,290 deaths.

Source: VNE