HANOI, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam will ban visitors to all health establishments as part of the efforts to tackle the COVID-19 epidemic, after confirming more than 20 infections in a hospital, Vietnam News Agency reported on Tuesday.
The decision was announced by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in a directive, which also ordered nationwide social distancing starting from Wednesday.
Earlier, three major Vietnamese cities of Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City have already announced a ban for hospital visitors.
The southern Ho Chi Minh City has also suspended private clinics and cosmetic surgery, physiotherapy activities at all clinics and hospitals, the news agency reported.
The restrictions came after more than 20 infections related to the Hanoi-based Bach Mai Hospital were confirmed.
The country has reported a total of 204 cases of COVID-19 infections, with 55 having recovered as of Tuesday afternoon.
