3,619 fresh COVID-19 cases, 115 fatalities recorded on October 11

As the epicentre of the latest wave of infections, Ho Chi Minh City recorded the highest number of cases with 1,527, followed by the southern province of Dong Nai with 499 and Binh Duong province with 446.

Furthermore, a total of 115 deaths were added to the national database on October 11, with HCM City and its neighbour Binh Duong suffering the highest number at 75, and 18, respectively.

The total number of COVID-19 deaths so far stands at 20,670, representing roughly 2.4% of all infections.

A total of 2,549 COVID-19 patients were also announced to have recovered from the virus, thereby bringing the total number of recovered cases to 784,748.

As of October 10 the country had injected over 54.2 million vaccine doses, with more than 15.58 million people now being fully inoculated.

With COVID-19 cases falling in many localities, including Ho Chi Minh City, the Ministry of Transport has decided to restart daily flights on 19 routes, including one between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from October 10.

Moreover, Ho Chi Minh City is poised to reopen fixed-route buses from November 1 with limited frequency initially. In line with the rules, all passengers and drivers will be required to comply with COVID-19 prevention regulations.

The municipal transportation department has also sent a three-phase draft plan detailing the reopening to other localities.

The draft plan also requires passengers traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to travelling, or having previously recovered from the virus within the last six months. In addition, all passengers should also have a negative result from a test done within the past 72 hours.

People heading to the city will only require a negative test result, with all passengers needing to make health declarations and follow social distancing rules.