Household water bills slashed for people affected by COVID-19 pandemic

September 18, 2020 10:00 AM GMT+7

VGP – The authorities of Ha Noi have agreed to not charge water fee for quarantine camps, medical facilities for COVID-19 patients and suspected ones, the poor, as well as low-income families.

Illustration photo

The decision was made in response to proposals of 11 water suppliers which accounted for 95% of water supply for the city and the Department of Finance. 

The cuts to household bills are expected to support poor people at a time when coronavirus had left many under severe financial strain.

Specifically, the maximum reduction is 10 m3 per household in three months (April to June, 2020). 

Water suppliers are responsible for offsetting the supportive expenditure. 

The Ha Noi Capital Special High Command of the People’s Army of Viet Nam is in charge of providing the list of quarantine camps and medical facilities for COVID-19 patients for the water providers.

Earlier, Ha Noi earmarked VND650 billion (US$28.2 million) to help poor and other social beneficiaries via the local branch of Viet Nam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP), amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Priority will be given to households enjoying debt payment rescheduling and extension, poor and near-poor ones, families of martyrs, war invalids and social beneficiaries. Small and medium-sized enterprises and cooperatives that attract a large number of laborers will also be eligible.

About 984,000 poor households and 1,260,000 near-poor households across the country received VND1 million each month in April, May, and June./.

By Khanh Phuong  

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