In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vietnamese Government has introduced a number of measures to manage the spread of COVID-19, and provide relief to individuals and businesses affected by the outbreak.
Pursuant to the Prime Minister's Directive No. 16/CT-TTg (as extended), nationwide social distancing measures were imposed from 1 April 2020, and had recently ended on 22 April 2020 for high-risk areas (including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City). During such measures, people were advised to stay home and only leave for essential purposes. Furthermore, key state authorities (including the courts and the Department of Planning and Investment) had suspended non-essential meetings and face-to-face interactions – instead, implementing postal or online submissions/communications or postponing sessions altogether. While such measures have recently ended, the transition back to original procedures may take time to implement, as provincial authorities await guidance from the central bodies. Travel entry restrictions, however, will remain in place until at least 30 April 2020 unless otherwise directed by the Government.
Regarding relief, the Government has rolled out various initiatives for eligible individuals and businesses. These include tax relief (by way of deferral of tax payment deadlines), suspension of social insurance contributions, and the State Bank of Vietnam asking commercial banks to waive, reduce or defer interest payments on loans to affected businesses.
