Thousands of jobless workers in Vietnam's biggest city are trying to run away to their hometowns, many on motorcycles piled high with belongings, following an extension of restrictions in the epicentre of the country's worst Covid outbreak yet. Television footage from close proximity industrialized provinces showed factory workers on Monday dressed head-to-toe in protective clothing and rushing to board trains and buses in a similar attempt to flee the most affected areas.

But authorities are anxious to prevent them leaving Ho Chi Minh City and potentially spreading the virus to other parts of the country. Waves of motorbikes could be seen being halted at roadblocks around the city since Sunday. Authorities with loudspeakers pleaded to people to maintain social distancing and return to their homes amid a cacophony of horns and shouting as people tried desperately to leave.

The city of Nine million people is witnessing on average 241 deaths every day. Many people are struggling to make ends meet after losing jobs due to covid-related suspensions of factory operations. The government has announced assistance packages.

Ho Chi Minh City accounts for most of the 6,141 Covid deaths and more than 283,000 infections in Vietnam, about a third of which is now under lockdowns. The city of 9 million people is seeing on average 241 deaths every day.

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