In relief for retailers, Vietnam won't close factories amid Covid surge

Workers at a factory producing activewear for various textile clothing brands in Hanoi . - AFP

HANOI (Reuters): Vietnamese factories making everything from shoes to smartphones are expected to continue production despite record Covid-19 infections, reversing a policy of sweeping lockdowns last year that hobbled global supply chains for Western retailers.

One of the world's biggest garment makers, Vietnam reported more than 26,000 new infections on Sunday, or about double the peak last year, when factories supplying brands such as Nike, Zara, Apple and Samsung were shut for months.