Fully vaccinated Saigoneers might be able to enjoy more freedom of movement in the future.
With Saigon's hard lockdown currently set to end next Wednesday, September 15, Tuoi Tre reports that city officials plan to debut a "vaccine green pass" which would allow fully vaccinated residents to resume some types of normal activity.
Plans for continued pandemic restrictions, as well economic recovery, are still being discussed, while specific industries and businesses can only resume operations once safety conditions are met. Phan Văn Mãi, chairman of the city People's Committee, told the news source that "one of the safety conditions people must meet in order to participate in the activities is vaccination."
Once completed, the "green pass" model will be submitted to the central government for approval. Citizens who qualify for the pass include those who have contracted and recovered from COVID-19 within the last six months and those who have been fully vaccinated for a period deemed enough to generate antibodies — two weeks for the Pfizer, Moderna và AstraZeneca vaccines.
According to a proposal by the Ministry of Health, passholders under 65 and without chronic illnesses will enjoy the highest level of movement. They can travel to low-risk provinces (a negative PCR result is required), join outdoors activities, go to work and school, visit indoor stores and supermarkets. Passholders aged 65 and above or living with chronic illnesses can still participate in activities outside, but indoors ones are limited to twice a week.
It is not yet known what database will be used to determine who is fully vaccinated. In order to update your vaccination status in the national database, you can submit this Google form.
Meanwhile, VnExpress reports that Binh Duong Province also plans to relax restrictions for vaccinated residents while maintaining strict rules in high-risk areas. Officials there hope to have all adults in the province at least partially vaccinated by the end of this weekend.
While Saigon, Binh Duong and other outbreak hotspots have been able to roll our widespread vaccination campaigns, just 4.3% of Vietnam's 97 million people are fully vaccinated.
[Photo: Residents of Binh Thanh District wait for their first vaccine shot.]
