Nuts and bolts of HCMC's lockdown - two months or more? By Viet Anh July 29, 2021 | 06:54 am GMT+7 The stringent social distancing period in HCMC needs not last for months if it is implemented properly, experts say, but others point out worrisome vagaries and uncertainties. HCMC imposed strict social distancing order requiring people not to leave home except for buying food or seeking medical care on July 9 and has announced plans to extend it by one or two more weeks from the end of this month. Starting Monday, the city has also banned people from going out between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. the next day.