At some points on August 12, guards at checkpoints in HCM City had to let people go without checking to prevent congestion and large crowds. A large number of vehicles can be seen on Truong Chinh, Ly Thai To, Nguyen Kiem and Nguyen Thai Son streets.
“Since Monday, the number of travellers has been increasing, especially during the rush hours,” said Nguyen Ke Khanh, a local in District 10.
“The outbreak hasn’t been controlled yet so many people are out on the streets. Prevention work will get much harder like this,” Nguyen Nhan Sinh, a resident in Binh Chanh District, said.
Some people turned and headed in another direction upon seeing the checkpoints. Tran Thi Thom from Go Vap District said she went out with the market ticket but felt a bit scared upon seeing so many people.
Captain Nguyen Thanh Trung from the police department in Xuan Thoi Dong Commune said, “We have dealt with people who went out without reasons or shippers without goods. The public needs to stay cautious to protect themselves and put less pressure on the authorities.”
Deputy Party Secretary of HCM City Phan Van Mai also called for the residents to stay home. “The fight against Covid-19 is long, and the city is working to control the outbreak by September 15,” he said. “If we can’t do this together then it will get longer and harder to control”
Head of the Propaganda and Education Board of the City Party Committee, Phan Nguyen Nhu Khue also raised concerns over the problem when several people showed uncooperative attitudes and opposed the frontline workers.
“I think many people have become lax. If regulations are not upheld then all the works will become pointless,” he said.
Some photos of the crowded streets in HCM City on August 12:
People flock out to the streets
