Vietnam's capital Hanoi has imposed movement restrictions to try to keep at bay an expanding coronavirus outbreak, as authorities reported a record rise in cases, most of those in the southern economic hub.

Hanoi suspended public transport services to and from 14 provinces impacted by the outbreak and urged people to stay home and leave only when necessary, Reuters reported.

“The number of people traveling to the capital city is very high, with potential threat of spreading the virus in the community,” the government said.

The country topped 1,000 new cases for the first time on Monday and hit 1,314 cases on Thursday, with concerns growing of a faster spread in a country widely seen as a coronavirus success story for its quick containment.

A family wears protective masks as they ride a motorbike in the street amid the coronavirus outbreak in Hanoi, Vietnam. — Reuters/File
A family wears protective masks as they ride a motorbike in the street amid the coronavirus outbreak in Hanoi, Vietnam. — Reuters/File

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