The official said that he felt very sorry after seeing lines of people trying to leave the city on August 15 after hearing that the city would continue to apply strict social distancing rules for another month.
People wait at a checkpoint in Ho Chi Minh City to be allowed to leave the city on August 15
"We want to keep all migrant workers here in the city because each of them has contributed to the development of the city," the official said. "Since early August when seeing people trying to leave the city on their motorbikes, I felt very sorry."
The police try to persuade people to stay in Ho Chi Minh City on August 15
The long and strict social distancing measures have made many people, mostly migrant workers coming from neighbouring localities, temporarily give up on their urban dreams in Ho Chi Minh City, which is now the country's biggest virus epicentre. Thousands of people have decided to leave the city for their hometowns after losing their jobs due to the outbreak.
Although some localities have tried to arrange for their residents to return from Ho Chi Minh City, many people just could not wait but want to leave the city as soon as possible even by walking or riding their bikes over long distances when they had no money left to pay for daily food or rent.
Meanwhile, some provinces have recently announced that they could not receive more returnees due to overloading at quarantine facilities. The government has also encouraged people to stay at their current locations as more infections have been reported among the people returning from some southern localities.
A woman receives financial support during the social distancing period in Ho Chi Minh City
On August 15, the HCM City People's Committee has asked authorities in all districts and Thu Duc City to gather lists of all workers and students who are facing difficulties in their areas to support them with rent and food during the new social distancing period.