HOS Update: 98. Extension of Lockdown in Ho Chi Minh City

Dear Faculty and Staff,

I hope you have had a very productive and rewarding Monday! Before I share the details of Directive No. 2718/UBND-VX, I would like to take a minute to thank the extraordinary Vaccination Strategy Group who supported our community in getting COVID-19 tests on Friday and vaccines on Saturday. Thank you to James and all of those who facilitated the vaccine process on Saturday. As a result, we moved so smoothly through the entire chain.

Special thank you to:

• Wai Mun Fong, Associate Head Of School For Finance and Operations
• Lisa Chute, Health Office Manager
• Nguyen Thu, Nurse
• Dinh Hoai Phuong, Business Manager
• Nguyen Ha Noi, Human Resources Manager
• Nguyen Thuy Hang, Administrative Assistant – Associate HOS
• Tran Thi Phuong Vy, Busing Coordinator
• Nguyen Thi Hoai Thu, Finance Manager
• Nguyen Thi Mai, Human Resource Senior Executive

These women took on an unbelievably exhausting, complex challenge and made vaccines possible for all of us. I am so extraordinarily grateful for their work on behalf of our community, which won’t end until every one of our faculty and staff is fully vaccinated.  There are no words to thank them enough, but let’s try.

Lockdown Extended Until September 15

Also, as of yesterday, August 15, current social distancing measures, i.e., lockdown, are extended for another 30 days in Directive No. 2718/UBND-VX. The 6:00 pm curfew remains in place. And we may find that delivery services, other than food or medical supplies, are limited. So, please let us know if you are experiencing an urgent need and are in need of assistance.

Like you, I hope that these aggressive measures will significantly impact reversing the trend of the current outbreak in HCMC. Until then, we should remember that this is a critical time of managing the outbreak, and it is important that we all continue to do our part by strictly adhering to the health and safety measures.

Supporting our Local Community at this Difficult Time

Our local Vietnamese community is being greatly impacted during this outbreak. Families are experiencing financial struggles, access to resources, and in many cases, the lack of basic necessities. In addition, many families are affected by illness and death due to COVID-19. We know that many of you have recognized this great need and are looking for a way to help the greater community.

Dedicated Service is a critical SSIS core value, articulated and exemplified by our Founders. Through our dedicated service at this time, we, individually and collectively, can make a difference in Vietnam.

In the days and weeks ahead, we will be organizing a COVID-19 Relief Drive to support our own local community and will share more information with you.

In the meantime, please take good care of yourselves and each other.

All good wishes,

Catriona