South lockdown extended

Urban emptiness: A man riding a scooter across a quiet intersection in Ho Chi Minh City, which has tightened restrictions with a curfew order to contain a surge of Covid-19 cases. — AP

THE country is extending strict curbs on movement in its business hub Ho Chi Minh City and another 18 cities and provinces throughout its south for another two weeks to help combat its worst Covid-19 outbreak, the government said.

After successfully containing the virus for much of the pandemic, Vietnam is facing a rapid spread of infections that has led to movement restrictions in around one-third of the country.