Vietnam allows bars and karaoke parlors to reopen

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has agreed to allow bars and karaoke parlors to reopen as the country has contained Covid-19 and seeks to reboot its economy. 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc concludes the meeting on June 9. Photo: VGP.

At a government meeting on June 9, PM Phuc requested Ministry of Public Security and relevant agencies to control illegal actions at the bars and karaoke parlors. 

The prime minister stated that Vietnam has normalized socioeconomic activities when going 54 days without new Covid-19 infection reported in the community. 

From mid-March, all bars, karaoke parlors and other non-essential services were required to suspend operations to curb Covid-19.

On May 7, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc allowed the resumption of non-essential services, except for bars and karaoke parlors, after the country had undergone 21 days without local Covid-19 transmission.

Many owners of bars and karaoke parlors have struggled with financial issues during the period of the closure, even some went bankrupt. 

Vietnam last month allowed resumption of religious gatherings and football matches filled with fans.

As of June 9, the country has confirmed 332 cases and zero deaths. According to the Ministry of Health, 316 out of the total patients have been discharged from hospital so far.