The intersection between Ta Hien Street and Luong Ngoc Quyen Street is sparsely populated, shops and restaurants proactively suspend service under the direction of the People’s Committee of Hanoi. (Photo: The Manh/Vietnam+) The most crowded and bustling scene in Hanoi of the “sleeping” street of Ta Hien, which used to be, is now gone. Instead, it was deserted, quiet since “closed.” (Photo: The Manh/Vietnam+) People accept the closure to prevent and control the COVID-19 epidemic. (Photo: The Manh/Vietnam+) Bich Hanh (owner of a beer shop on Ta Hien Street) said: “Since she was asked to suspend operations, this week she has closed the shop. Only in the morning, she comes to clean and disinfect. Now she just hopes that the epidemic will pass quickly so that the government and medical staff, border guards… will be less hard and people can live and do business with peace of mind.” (Photo: The Manh/Vietnam+) Some famous bars and pubs on Ta Hien and Ma May streets are now closed. The scene is quiet and dreary in contrast to the usual vibrant look. (Photo: The Manh/Vietnam+) The street is empty of tourists, the street is used as a playground. (Photo: The Manh/Vietnam+) Some other pictures of the restaurant situation on Ta Hien and Ma May streets in the afternoon of May 6. (Photo: The Manh/Vietnam+) Some other pictures of the restaurant situation on Ta Hien and Ma May streets in the afternoon of May 6. (Photo: The Manh/Vietnam+) Some other pictures of the restaurant situation on Ta Hien and Ma May streets in the afternoon of May 6. (Photo: The Manh/Vietnam+) Some other pictures of the restaurant situation on Ta Hien and Ma May streets in the afternoon of May 6. (Photo: The Manh/Vietnam+)

Brussels capital center on weekends when restaurants are allowed to serve customers outdoors. (Photo: Huong Giang/Vietnam+) Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said on May 9 that the Belgian government could allow large festivals to be held in the second half of this summer. Writing on Twitter, Prime Minister De Croo stated: “Belgium is a great festival center of the world, we will once again prove this in the summer. In the second half of this summer, major festivals need to be allowed to resume.” Access to large gatherings, which are banned in Belgium due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will depend on testing and vaccination vaccines. Advisory Committee of Belgian Government will meet on May 11 to outline the conditions for promoting reopening. According to the statistics of worldometers, as of May 10, Belgium has recorded more than 1,014 million cases of COVID-19 and 24,511 deaths due to this dangerous disease. After 7 months of observing social distancing measures to prevent the epidemic COVID-19 Since May 8, restaurants and cafes in Belgium have been allowed to reopen to welcome guests, but they must all serve outdoors. Anyway, this is also a good news for the Belgian people. According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in the Kingdom of Belgium, May 8 is the weekend that many people in this country have been waiting for a long time, because this is the day to reopen coffee shops, after 7 months the food service industry was forced to Closed to prevent COVID-19 outbreak. At the outdoor terraces in the center of Brussels, customers are very crowded. They come here to get a taste of normalcy after days of social distancing, as if to celebrate the return of freedom. “It’s great! I came here from Germany to visit my children and it is very interesting to sit at a bar like this. In Germany, the restaurant has not yet reopened, so I have to take advantage here to enjoy a beer. in a bustling space like this,” shared Ms. Monika Lueder-Pohlenz, a tourist from Germany. Belgians relax and drink coffee outdoors. (Photo: Huong Giang/Vietnam+) In areas near the Grand Square in the center of Brussels, during the weekend, customers flock to crowded eateries. After months of forced savings, many people want to treat themselves to a delicious menu. Sesa Kardo said he waited a long time for this day to return to the restaurant he has been familiar with for many years, even though he had to sit outside. “I will eat half of this dish to save my stomach for another. Maybe I will become a glutton. A delicious meal, a delicious dish like this I haven’t enjoyed in a long time. I really enjoyed it. fun,” he said. All restaurants, pubs, and cafes have tables on the sidewalk to serve customers. Mr. Aurélien – owner of a beer bar in La Bourse square, put a dozen tables in front of the door to serve guests and did not accept reservations in advance to be able to receive the most customers. “The partial reopening of the restaurant and courtyard has been prepared by us for a long time. In fact, during the lockdown, we planned. A week before opening. When the door is back, we check to be able to serve it properly,” said Mr. Aurélien. In Châtelain – another vibrant district of Brussels, many cafes have installed wooden platforms on the parking lot to save space. “It’s good to be out,” Amy Marshall, 42, smiles and is happy to feel life is “getting back to normal.” “We are also here to support traders,” she explains. A little further afield, at Supra Bailly, a group of four young men gather to drink beer. “This is our ‘headquarters’,” said Guillaume, 37. They shared a smile and clinked a cup to congratulate the fact that from now on, they could gather together to eat, drink and chat every weekend. After 16 months of being forced to close by government orders to prevent the epidemic, Mr. Thys Daniel is now able to sell goods again at a small market selling handicrafts near the Grand Square in Brussels. He was very happy to be able to welcome visitors again as before. “This market is usually open on weekends and sells handicrafts. Today is an important moment for us, marking the lifting of strict lockdown measures. This allows people to return. normal life, being in contact with each other,” said Mr. Thys Daniel happily. When I asked him, when will life really return to normal. He replied optimistically: “Very soon. Then we quickly find our old habits in a normal rhythm of life.” At restaurants, the reopening is done in a regulated manner. Each table is limited to 4 guests, except for members of the same family who may be larger. Restaurants are allowed to open to serve visitors until 10pm. Despite allowing restaurants to operate, with the condition that Belgians are still required to wear masks in public places, on public transport and implement distancing measures at shops. .

Diners enjoy coffee outdoors, when shops are allowed to reopen after a 7-month separation to fight the COVID-19 epidemic, in Brussels, Belgium on May 9, 2021. Photo: AFP/VNA According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Belgium, May 8 is the weekend that many people in this country have been waiting for a long time, because this is the reopening day of coffee shops, after 7 months the food service industry is forced to reopen. Closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. At the outdoor terraces in the center of Brussels, customers are very crowded. They come here to get a taste of normalcy after days of social distancing, as if to celebrate the return of freedom. “It’s great! I came here from Germany to visit my children and it is very interesting to sit at a bar like this. In Germany, the restaurant has not yet reopened, so I have to take advantage here to enjoy a beer. in a bustling space like this,” shared Ms. Monika Lueder-Pohlenz, a tourist from Germany. In areas near the Grand Square in the center of Brussels, during the weekend, customers flock to crowded eateries. After months of forced savings, many people want to treat themselves to a delicious menu. Sesa Kardo said he waited a long time for this day to return to the restaurant he has been familiar with for many years, even though he had to sit outside. “I will eat half of this dish to save my stomach for another. Maybe I will become a glutton. A delicious meal, a delicious dish like this I haven’t enjoyed in a long time. I really enjoyed it. happy,” he said. All restaurants, beer bars, and cafes have tables on the sidewalk to serve customers. Mr. Aurélien – owner of a beer bar in La Bourse square, put a dozen tables in front of the door to serve guests and did not accept reservations in advance to be able to receive the most customers. “The partial reopening of the restaurant and courtyard has been prepared by us for a long time. In fact, during the lockdown, we planned. A week before opening. When the door reopens, we check it out so we can serve it properly,” said Aurélien. In Châtelain, another vibrant district of Brussels, many cafes have installed wooden platforms on the parking lot to save space. “It’s good to be out,” Amy Marshall, 42, smiles and is happy to feel life is “getting back to normal”. “We’re also here to support traders,” she explains. A little further afield, at Supra Bailly, a group of four young men gather to drink beer. “This is our ‘headquarters’,” said Guillaume, 37. They shared a smile and clinked a cup to congratulate the fact that from now on, they could gather together to eat, drink and chat every weekend. After 16 months of being forced to close by government orders to prevent the epidemic, Mr. Thys Daniel is now able to sell goods again at a small market selling handicrafts near the Grand Square in Brussels. He was very happy to be able to welcome visitors again as before. “This market is usually open on weekends and sells handicrafts. Today is an important moment for us, marking the lifting of strict lockdown measures. This allows people to return. normal life, being in contact with each other,” said Mr. Thys Daniel happily. When I asked him, when will life really return to normal. He replied optimistically: “That’s okay. Then we quickly find our old habits in a normal rhythm of life.” At restaurants, the reopening is done in a regulated manner. Each table is limited to 4 guests, except for members of the same family who may be larger. Restaurants are allowed to open to serve visitors until 22:00. Despite allowing restaurants to operate, with the condition that Belgians are still required to wear masks in public places, on public transport and implement distancing measures at stores. Belgian authorities are considering reopening festivals in the second half of summer. Access to large gatherings, banned in Belgium due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will depend on testing and vaccination. The Belgian government’s advisory committee will meet on May 11 to determine the conditions to expedite reopening. According to worldometers, as of May 10, Belgium has recorded over 1 million cases of COVID-19 and 24,511 deaths due to this dangerous disease.

Beer shops in the city. Hanoi is temporarily suspending operations under the direction of the City People’s Committee. Hanoi. This creates an unprecedented scene: in the middle of the peak season to attract visitors, the pubs that are noisy and crowded are quiet and empty. Hai Xom beer shop is located on Le Trong Tan Street (Khuong Mai, Thanh Xuan) hanging a sign announcing the temporary break under the direction of the City People’s Committee. Hanoi right from the door. This beer shop used to be very busy and crowded, now there is not a single person. The floor has been cleaned up to rest for several days. The tables are also cleaned by the staff, before being covered with dust, they never know when they will be able to operate again. The stacks of chairs were neatly folded. Another beer shop located on Giap Nhat street, on the bank of To Lich river, is also closed. Looking at the number of tables and chairs, you can also guess how many customers the restaurant has on a regular basis. The stove and oven are empty. The owner of this beer shop said that as soon as it received Hanoi’s notice, the shop cleaned up and closed according to instructions. Although knowing that this is a necessary job and fully supporting this policy, the owner as well as the staff cannot help but regret and pity. Because this is the right time to attract tourists when the weather in Hanoi is getting hotter and hotter. Closed at this time, the restaurant lost a large amount of income. A restaurant is located on Duong Dinh Nghe street (Yen Hoa, Cau Giay) covered with tarpaulin. All employees of the restaurant have been retired to their hometown, only two security guards are left to take care of the facilities during the temporary shutdown. The staff at this restaurant said that the shop was closed as soon as it received the notice. Everyone wants to quickly end the epidemic, so that the shop can operate normally again. Because otherwise, all will lose their jobs, income, life will be very difficult. View of a VIP room at this brasserie. This is the view inside Vuon Nhan restaurant, located on Trung Kinh street (Yen Hoa, Cau Giay). The space is about more than 200m2 empty. On weekdays, this place attracts a huge number of diners. In the summer, visitors come in and out. Tables and chairs have been cleaned and neatly stored in the room. All are silent waiting for the day to be reopened. The big beer shops in Hanoi’s Old Quarter have their doors closed, creating an unusually gloomy scene. (Photo: Ha Vy) A large beer bar on Nguyen Cong Tru street. (Photo: Ha Vy) Many restaurants have switched to selling takeaway beer to save some income. (Photo: Ha Vy)