The move came after new clusters of COVID-19 cases of unknown sources were found in residential areas and business offices in Hanoi.
Notably, on May 27, the Ho Chi Minh city detected a cluster of COVID-19 infections involving a Christian mission church in Go Vap District that has so far resulted in over 50 cases in two days.
In an effort to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, the Hanoi People's Committee asked religious organizations, dignitaries, monks, officials and followers in Hanoi to join hands with the city in the fight against the pandemic, and strictly implement the following tasks:
Religious organizations and dignitaries stop all religious activities from 0:00 on May 29 until further instructions.
Religious organizations should proactively take measures against the pandemic as guided by the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government Committee on Religious Affairs and the municipal authorities, while seriously carrying out Directive No. 11/CT-UBND dated May 5, 2021 of the municipal People’s Committee on enhance COVID-19 prevention and control efforts in new situation.
It is necessary for them to remind their followers and dignitaries to quickly notify the authorities and medical establishments of possible COVID-19 infections so that measures could be taken to prevent outbreaks.
Religious organizations need to encourage followers and the general public to closely follow the 5K message by the Ministry of Health: Khau trang (facemask) - Khu khuan (disinfection) - Khoang cach (distance) - Khong tu tap (no gathering) - Khai bao y te (health declaration).
The municipal People’s Committee also asked religious organizations, dignitaries, and followers to practice their religious activities online.
They have also been told not to invite foreigners into Vietnam to conduct religious activities - especially those who have been to or transited through virus-hit regions, and continue to hold off sending delegations overseas for religious purposes until the Government allows such trips.
Heads of religious organizations and places of worship will answer before the law for the emergence of the pandemic if they do not enforce regulations on COVID-19 prevention and control.
As of this morning, the capital city has recorded 257 cases of COVID-19 cases in the latest infection wave, while the authorities have shuttered most non-essential services and asked people not to go out unless necessary.