She and two other families plan to ask their landlord to delay their rents.

For the last two months Tran Thi Ngoc Nhan and her son have been relying on donors for food. Photo: Internet

During the fourth wave of Covid HCMC announced two financial relief packages to support people in difficulties.

The first, worth VND886 billion ($36.5 million), was disbursed at the end of June, with 311,000 informal workers getting VND1.5 million each.

The second was recently approved and is worth VND905 billion ($39.4 million) and the city plans to provide 344,000 informal workers with VND1.5 million.

Lam Quan Minh Vuong, chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Hung Thuan Ward, where Nhan lives, said the names of all informal workers in the area are listed by neighborhood chiefs and sent to ward authorities.

But he warned that not every person in the list would be approved finally for the relief since they must be in the list of special occupational groups listed by the city.

The total number of people is also a factor, and those who do not receive the money this time would have to wait until next time, he said.

Vo Thi Chinh, vice chairwoman of the District 12 People's Committee, said procedures for inclusion in the list of beneficiaries are easy to complete, and it does not matter if someone is a permanent or temporary resident: As long as they live in the area and face difficult circumstances, they would receive the relief.

In the first round, the district had listed more than 26,000 eligible people, and disbursed VND39 billion.

"In the area, there are also many self-employed workers who face difficulties, but have not been supported because their jobs are not in the list of six that are eligible for the financial support."

She said in such cases the district would consider listing them as poor laborers living in dormitories and locked-down areas so that they qualify for the financial aid this time.

People affected by Covid-19 receive charity meals in HCMC's District 1, June 2021. Photo: Internet

Le Minh Tan, director of the city Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, said at a recent press conference that the first support package has been completely disbursed.

In the second, currently being disbursed, the city has expanded the list to cover more poor and disadvantaged people who need help.

Thus, in addition to 344,000 informal workers, there are also 90,500 poor and near-poor households who will receive VND1.5 million.

Another 170,000 poor people living in locked-down areas will also benefit. The city hopes to hand over the money to everyone before August 15.

Tan too said the support is for people facing difficulties regardless of whether they have permanent or temporary residence in the city.

The money will be transferred to a bank account or handed over in cash if they do not have an account.

Poor and near-poor households and others living in difficult conditions with three or more members will be given priority.

Recently the city also set up a support center for receiving donations and distributing to people affected by the pandemic.

Four months into the fourth wave, the most challenging yet, Covid has spread to 62 of the country’s 63 provinces and cities.

After more than two months of various levels of lockdowns, HCMC, the epicenter, has recorded nearly 145,000 infections, the highest number in the country.