Contrary to the bustling atmosphere at the weekend, the streets of Ho Chi Minh City on May 30 were quieter after many Covid-19 cases in the community were announced. Many streets in the center of Ho Chi Minh City such as Dong Khoi, Le Duan, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Nguyen Du, Hai Ba Trung… were empty. Le Duan Street (District 1) The corners of the central streets of Ho Chi Minh City no longer have the vibrant rhythm of daily life Nguyen Hue pedestrian street (District 1) has been temporarily closed to prevent the Covid-19 epidemic. Nguyen Van Binh book street has also been closed, the entrances are all equipped with tables and chairs, flower beds, and barricades. The area in front of Notre Dame Cathedral on weekends is often crowded with people to visit, today also very few people. Turtle Lake is quiet, no longer the familiar image of students who come here every weekend. Many streets in the city are empty Nguyen Huu Canh Street, even at rush hour, is empty of traffic Cay Go overpass (District 6), an important intersection at the western gateway of Ho Chi Minh City, is no longer crowded as usual. Vo Van Kiet Boulevard is a lifeline of traffic, connecting the two ends of the Northeast – Southwest of the city, but there are few cars on weekends, a very rare image compared to weekdays. A restaurant on Nguyen Trai Street (District 1) only sells takeaways, and at the same time keeps a distance of 2 meters from customers according to the requirements of the authorities.

On weekends, the capital’s hot weather makes many people choose commercial centers as a place to “relax”. People comply with epidemic prevention regulations, have their temperature checked at the entrance, wear masks during sightseeing and shopping. The shopping center is especially crowded on the supermarket and dining floors. Prepared food stalls are especially attractive, some people forget to keep their distance when choosing goods. No longer buying and hoarding like previous outbreaks, most people buy according to family needs, often preparing food for 3 days – 1 week. The checkout counters are open at full capacity to serve customers, at peak times, it takes about 15-20 minutes for customers to wait for their turn, because some counters have orders to go to the market to buy large quantities. Although the supermarket has instructions to line up and stick to the floor, most customers don’t notice, standing close to each other Although the Hanoi People’s Committee requires indoor food and drink shops to ensure a minimum distance of 2m from seats, the cafe in the commercial center lobby still arranges tables close together, almost full. The store makes full use of the space and aisles to place tables and chairs In contrast to the crowded food court, crowded cafes, and empty fashion stores, weekend shopping Even some layers of fashion and accessories are almost empty The children’s play area suffers from the same sad and empty situation, although it is still open for operation Outside the commercial center, some indoor restaurants are closed or only sell take-out, although not within the scope of the requirements of the City People’s Committee. Hanoi. The shop has equipped a shield, but does not serve customers to eat on the spot to ensure epidemic prevention phòng Shops are closed, leaving many streets deserted on weekends Beer shops, pubs comply with epidemic prevention regulations, arrange tables and chairs, closed from the beginning of the week

During the first 3 days of the holidays of April 30 and May 1, the trend of picnicking became more and more popular with many families in the North when the Covid-19 epidemic was at risk of an outbreak. Due to the complex terrain, groups of tourists often use high-rise vehicles to enter the place. The camping site chosen by groups of tourists is a place with charming landscapes such as mountains, rivers, streams, forests… In the photo, the group of Ms. Thuy and Ms. Lan in Hanoi looked to the Boi River area (Hoang Hoa). Binh) stretch canvas to avoid the sun, bring tables and chairs with food and drink to enjoy and admire the scenery. Nearby there are about 20 other groups of guests. They use tents so that they can stay until the evening, even overnight here. The weather in the North in the first three days of the holiday is quite cool, below 30 degrees Celsius, convenient for fun activities. Most of the groups of tourists set up tables and chairs by the stream, dip their feet in the water, drink coffee and enjoy the cool feeling. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tuan (taking photos) said that the house is in Duong Noi urban area, Ha Dong district, but he has to go to Bac Ninh to pick up his family and then come here to have fun. Although he has had many picnics, this is the first time he has come to the Boi River area, Hoa Binh. While Mr. Tuan was busy serving his sisters, his friend was in charge of cooking. Everyone is expected to stay here until the sun goes down to leave. Here, young children can swim in the shallows or use pontoon boats to swim on the stream. The deepest part is only 1.5 meters. Khanh (a 9th grader from Hanoi) is embarrassed and afraid of falling while practicing handling oars. In this section, the stream is not strong, but it is enough to float an inflatable pontoon boat for picnickers. This group of young people arrived late and was already full. They had to wade to the other side of the stream to set up camp and set up a barbecue over the water. Huyen, an 11th grader from Hanoi, is practicing grilling for the first time. My family prepared all the tools, loaded two cars to serve lunch and dinner by the stream. “This day when the risk of the Covid-19 epidemic returns, only going camping in an empty place is safe and not having to jostle with anyone. It is a real relaxation and relaxation after tiring working days.” , Mr. Tuan shared.

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.