Expat Grateful for Local Supports During Covid Social Distancing

	Expats: A Sense of Security In The Support of Vietnamese Community
	Expats In Ho Chi Minh City Adapt To Life Changes Amid Social Distancing
	Expat: I’m Lucky to be in Vietnam During Covid-19 Pandemic

Sigmont, 81, lives alone in Thu Duc, HCMC. He has reportedly running out of food but couldn’t go out to buy because of his broken leg and the city’s social distancing order. He couldn’t contact his friends in Vietnam either. In the past 30 days, the expat only stayed at home and didn’t get in touch with even his neighbors.

He has been working in the organic fertilizer market in Vietnam for 17 years. His business, however, was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

William Sigmont was grateful for the generous support from local authorities and people. Photo: Zing

Knowing of Sigmont’s situation, Nguyen Hoang Anh, leader of the Huong Nam SOS Team, has turned to social media to call for support.

Trong Hieu, 22, a volunteer of Vietnam Youth Union, was among the first donors to send food to Sigmont.

“I receive eggs, instant noodles, bread, rice from kind-hearted people after running out of food for days. My friends often helped me with the shopping thing before but now they are also under lockdown,” Sigmont told Zing. “I’m so grateful for their support. I hope the pandemic will get better soon.”

Along with the donations from local officials, many people also contacted Sigmont to buy him essential supplies and medicine.

“I had texted Sigmont after reading the post on the Internet. He seemed not in a good state. I had called him on social media several times before he picked up,” Hong Nhung, 30, said. “I plan to visit his home this weekend and bring him enough foods to stock in the next few days.”

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's economic powerhouse, has become the epicenter of the fourth coronavirus wave which struck the nation in late April. It has recorded 137,008 local cases so far, the highest in the country. The southern metropolis has gone through multiple consecutive social distancing orders under Directive 16, with the latest one expected to be extended for a month starting August 15, according to VNE. Aerial view of a desolate HCMC street amid a Covid-19 social distancing order. Photo: VNE Directive 16 requires people to stay home and only go out for necessities like buying food or medicines or to work at certain factories or businesses. People must keep a distance of at least two meters. No more than two people can gather together in public apart from work, schools, or hospitals. The majority of public transportation will be shut down and there will be no travel between localities.

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