HCM City authorities refute rumours of imminent complete lockdown

HCM City (VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City’s authorities officially refuted rumours on July 14 that a complete citywide lockdown would be imposed.

The rumours spread on social media, along with calls for local residents to start stockpiling food and supplies. Food scarcity and shortages were also rumoured to be imminent as well as complete ban on shopping starting July 15, 2021. Several posts also alleged that city leaders had contracted COVID-19.

The rumours drove many to rush to supermarkets and convenience stores to buy supplies, making it difficult to enforce anti-pandemic measures, including keeping two meters apart.

The municipal Party Committee’s Board for Information and Education said the city is implementing the Government’s Directive 16, which requires it to impose stringent social distancing measures, however the rumours were false.

The commission asked local residents to stay calm and check for updates on the outbreak from official, credible news sources. It reminded residents not to spread fake news.

The city’s authorities will work to strictly handle those who spread false information, causing confusion among the community, it said.

They also assured residents that they were making every effort to control and prevent the further spread of the pandemic while also ensuring public security and the supply of food and essential goods to the people.

HCM City is now the biggest hotspot of COVID-19 in the country with more than 18,000 local cases since the fourth coronavirus wave hit Vietnam in late April.

Over 1,000 cases a day have been recorded for the last several days./.