The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee building. (Photo: VNA)

The reopening which started Thursday evening must be based on a number of principles to ensure the city will fulfill its twin goals of keeping the coronavirus at bay and step-by-step recovering and developing the economy, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Hoa Binh told the press conference.

Local residents will not need travel permits to go out but are still required to show proof of vaccination via QR codes.

Otherwise, they must provide, when requested, written documentation of recovery from COVID-19 within less than 180 days or vaccination with at least one doses of COVID-19 vaccine for a minimum of 14 days, he said.

All residents are urged not to travel outside the city, Mr. Binh noted, adding that inter-provincial mobility for priority groups must adhere to the guidelines set by the municipal Department of Transport.

HCM City will reopen step-by-step in a careful and cautious manner, with safety put first, he said.