HCMC - The HCMC government has tightened its anti-pandemic measures and banned local residents from leaving their homes from today, August 23. The extra stay-at-home order is in place from now till September 6, after the city had implemented stringent social distancing under the Prime Minister's Directive 16 for almost two months.

The number of revelers on the street fell sharply, as people were only allowed to venture out for special cases. Those who want to pass through checkpoints that have been set up across the city have to present the relevant papers. At some checkpoints, the competent forces asked deliverymen and commuters to strictly follow the regulations and their routes.  Police at a checkpoint on Tran Hung Dao Street, District 1 said that there were only a few residents passing through the checkpoints this morning and all of them complied with regulations and presented the required papers.  Many barriers and checkpoints have been set up on small roads to ensure that only residents going out for emergencies can commute on the major roads.