Commuters without valid travel documents turned back during Saigon’s shelter-in-place mandate

Many commuters have been asked to turn back home after they failed to present valid travel documents needed for outdoor journeys during the ongoing shelter-in-place order in Ho Chi Minh City.

According to the observation of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters on Tuesday, the second day of the mandate, the number of vehicles on local streets and at COVID-19 checkpoints significantly decreased.

At a checkpoint on Dinh Bo Linh Street in Binh Thanh District, four police and military officers were in charge of conducting administrative inspection of travelers.

Within only 20 minutes, over ten people were required to return home due to the lack of legitimate documents.

“Traffic congestion usually occurred at this checkpoint during rush hours. The situation has greatly improved after the stay-home order took effect,” said Tran Thuy Tien, an employee of a local convenience store.

Tien has been able to pass the checkpoint on a daily basis thanks to a certificate issued by her company.

On Dien Bien Phu Street in Binh Thanh District, many commuters who could not prove their reasons for going outside were also required to turn around.

Members of pandemic prevention and control teams did not have to present their papers thanks to their uniform.

Ho Chi Minh City is currently the country’s largest epicenter with 180,245 local infections recorded since the fourth wave began on April 27.

The municipal authorities have asked people to stay where they are from August 23 to September 6, as part of their drastic measures to push back the serious pandemic.

The city’s administration has issued a list of demographics that are allowed to go outside during this period, but they need to present related documents to officers at local checkpoints.

People who work in certain sectors as well as members of pandemic control missions are also required to wear their corresponding uniforms.