Bars and pubs in Vietnam were ordered to close until further notice starting July 31, 2020, as the country braces for a new wave of Covid-19 infections. Authorities in the country also announced on July 30 that gatherings of more than 30 people will be banned. Vietnam had been praised for its handling of the virus, and had reported no coronavirus-related deaths until July 31 when the nation’s first two deaths were confirmed. As of August 2, the country had confirmed 620 cases and six deaths.