Coronavirus: Vietnam bans people from leaving their homes as deaths jump; New Zealand extends lockdown
- The government said it will deploy the military to enforce the lockdown in Ho Chi Minh City and deliver food supplies to citizens
- Elsewhere, the Philippines relaxes restrictions in the capital region even as cases rise, while Thailand hits 1 million infections
Vietnam’s toughest order yet comes amid a spike in fatalities and infections, despite weeks of lockdown measures in the business hub of 9 million people, the epicentre of the country’s deadliest outbreak.
“We are asking people to stay where you are, not to go outside. Each home, company, factory should be an antivirus fort,” Pham Duc Hai, deputy head of the city’s coronavirus authority, said on Friday.
The government said it was preparing to mobilise police and military to enforce the lockdown and deliver food supplies to citizens.
Police with loudspeakers were seen driving around residential areas on Friday instructing people to follow protocols and assuring them food supplies would be provided.
The defence ministry plans to send 1,000 military medics and medical equipment over the weekend, according to a military document reviewed by Reuters.