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Migrant workers crowd HCM City's gateways in attempt to leave, even as city relaxes lockdown

Local law enforcement persuaded people to return to the city, but more and more streamed into the city’s gateways late into the night.

The chaotic scenes mirrored those when thousands of out-of-work, out-of-money migrant workers were desperate to leave HCM City when the southern city announced heightened lockdown measures.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has ordered HCM City and the southern neighbouring provinces Bình Dương, Đồng Nai and Long An to continue checking entries and exits to ensure COVID- 一 九 safety.

Võ Văn Hoan, vice chair of HCM City People’s Co妹妹ittee, said following relaxation of restrictions, people’s desire to return home is “legitimate” but as the virus has penetrated deeply into the co妹妹unity, the massive influx of people returning at the same time could risk bringing outbreaks home and overwhelm the healthcare system there, making treatment difficult if infections occur.

Hoan also told the migrant workers that when the city opens up, economic and production activities could resume and there would be great demand for labour, and migrant workers could have jobs and income again. — VNS