Vinh City: People in red zones 'flood' into yellow zones to eat and gather

At this time,Vinh City22/25 wards and communes are at level 4 (very high-risk red zone) according to Resolution 128 of the Government, only 3 wards and communes are not red zones, including Quan Bau ward at level 3 (orange zone); Ha Huy Tap ward and Nghi Kim commune at level 2 (yellow zone).

Phung Chi Kien Street, Ha Huy Tap Ward, running along the bustling Bac Canal on the evening of February 18. Photo: AQ

In the red zone areas, food and beverage services are only allowed to sell take-out, not to serve customers on-site. In the remaining levels, this service is allowed to open to welcome customers but must ensure epidemic prevention requirements. Therefore, many restaurants in the yellow zone of Vinh City have been crowded in recent times, especially on weekends.

According to the reporter's records on the evening of February 18, the shops in Ha Huy Tap ward - the golden area of ​​Vinh city - were very crowded with customers gathering to eat and drink. They were concentrated on the streets.Phung Chi Kien Street, Ha Huy Tap, Hai Thuong Lan Ong, Ly Tu Trong...

The coffee shop in Ha Huy Tap ward was crowded with people on the evening of February 18, mainly young people. Photo: AQ

Although they are serving customers on-site, epidemic prevention measures at these restaurants are neglected, customers sit close together, and do not practice social distancing. According to the reporter's investigation, many customers from the red zone in Vinh City come to Ha Huy Tap ward to gather and meet.

The situation of gathering to eat and drink in the context that Vinh City is the locality with the most complicated epidemic in Nghe An with nearly 1,000 Covid-19 infections per day will pose a risk of spreading the epidemic in the community. According to the people's opinion, if the gathering of people in yellow and orange zones is not controlled, the locality will easily move to the red zone.

Previously, Vinh City issued an official dispatch directing functional forces and wards and communes to strengthen inspection, reminders, and handling of establishments that do not comply with epidemic prevention measures.

At the meeting between the Vinh City Epidemic Prevention Command Center and the wards and communes, Chairman of Vinh City People's Committee Tran Ngoc Tu requested to temporarily stop all entertainment, recreation, and festival activities that gather large crowds after Tet with the highest determination to control the epidemic as soon as possible to stabilize people's lives, activities, and work.

The drinking establishments in Ha Huy Tap ward are also crowded with customers, including many from red zones. Photo: AQ

On February 18, Vinh City recorded 717 Covid-19 cases, including 218 community cases, 498 F1 cases, and 1 case from another province. The total number of infections since the beginning of the epidemic is 10,246 cases, including 8,497 F0 cases in 25 wards and communes from January 1, 2022 to present.

Currently, the whole city has 4,621 F0s being treated, of which 3,678 F0s are being treated at home.