Vietnam aims to keep number of coronavirus cases in country under 1,000

A man transports his dog on a motorcycle past a closed cafe during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Hanoi, Vietnam March 27, 2020. REUTERS/Kham

Vietnam is aiming to keep the number of coronavirus cases in the country under 1,000, the government said, as the number of confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian country passed 150 on Friday.

"We have been able to contain epicentres, and even potential epicentres ... and we are determined to keep the number of COVID-19 cases from reaching 1,000," deputy prime minister Vu Duc Dam said in a statement.

Closed restaurants are seen at the empty Ta Hien street during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Hanoi, Vietnam March 27, 2020. REUTERS/Kham

Vietnam will limit domestic flights and stop public gatherings for two weeks from Saturday in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The country has already moved to bar entry to all foreigners, suspend international flights and put tens of thousands of people under quarantine.

(Reporting by Khanh Vu; Editing by James Pearson and Catherine Evans)

Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc square is seen almost empty during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Hanoi, Vietnam March 27, 2020. REUTERS/Kham