As Hanoi eases strict lockdown rules, workers still stay away from the office

AFTER two months of lockdown to contain a surge in coronavirus cases, the Vietnamese capital Hanoi is continuing its cautious reopening and easing more restrictions.

In a flurry of government announcements earlier this week, travel permits were done away with, hairdressers were given the green light to go back to work, and offices were allowed to reopen at 50 per cent capacity.

Most construction projects were able to resume from Wednesday, and the authorities said more easing could soon follow as the average of new daily Covid-19 cases is down to just 20.