Despite the ban, many businesses in Vinh City are still open to welcome customers on the night of March 27.

Video game shops on Vo Thi Sau Street, Vinh City were still open on the afternoon of March 27 despite the ban. Photo: PV

Faced with the complicated developments of the Covid-19 epidemic, the Government and the People's Committee of Nghe An province have issued many directives advising people not to gather in large numbers and to wear masks in public places...

On March 26, the People's Committee of Nghe An province issued an official dispatch directing the temporary suspension of cultural, sports and cultural service activities to prevent the Covid-19 epidemic starting from March 27. However, according to the reporter's records, on March 27, shops, entertainment venues in Vinh city were still open day and night.

On Vo Thi Sau Street, near Vinh University, on the afternoon of March 27, electronic game and public internet service points were still operating.

Official dispatch directing the temporary suspension of cultural, sports and cultural service business activities to prevent the Covid-19 epidemic of the Provincial People's Committee.

It is worth mentioning that, despite the large number of people gathered, players at these internet cafes do not wear masks according to regulations, and the keyboards and computer mice used for gaming are not cleaned or disinfected by the owners, even though there are many people coming in and out every day, which poses a potential risk of spreading the disease.

On March 27, most coffee shops and snack shops were still operating normally, attracting many people, concentrated on Ho Tung Mau, Nguyen Van Cu, Quang Trung, Ha Huy Tap streets... The worrying thing is that many people still gathered at close distances when eating and drinking, without being vigilant against the Covid-19 epidemic.

The coffee shop at the intersection of Nguyen Tai and Nguyen Van Cu streets was crowded on March 27. Photo: PV

When asked about Nghe An province banning large gatherings and temporarily suspending business activities, some coffee shop owners said they would "try" to sell out (?!), then close as directed.

That's the way it is during the day, but what about at night? According to the reporter's records on the evening of March 27, many eateries, beer bars, and karaoke bars in Vinh City are still operating bustlingly, and these are also the businesses that "ignore" the ban the most.

The beer house on Le Hong Phong Street is still open, attracting dozens of customers on the evening of March 27. Photo: PV

Rows of shops on Dao Tan Street, Vinh City open on the evening of March 27. Photo: PV

On Minh Khai, Nguyen Van Cu, Quang Trung streets... karaoke bars are still open and inviting customers, but according to the reporter's observation, the number of customers gathering at karaoke bars is not much.

The karaoke bar on Minh Khai Street was still open to welcome customers on the evening of March 27 despite the order to stop operations. Photo: PV

It is worth mentioning that from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on March 27, no functional forces of wards and communes in Vinh City were mobilized to remind and handle this issue.

Through discussion, the representative of the Vinh City People's Committee said: After receiving the direction of the Provincial People's Committee on the temporary suspension of all entertainment activities, cultural service businesses in the area, the Vinh City People's Committee has issued a document directing the wards and communes to seriously implement this issue. Accordingly, in addition to propaganda work, the wards and communes need to establish patrol and control teams, strictly handle cases of intentional illegal business and large gatherings in accordance with regulations.