Vietnam plans to ease coronavirus curbs and allow businesses to restart production from next week to prop up an economy which has suffered under lengthy lockdowns, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said on Saturday.

The country, which until late April had maintained one of the world’s best containment records, is seeking to co-exist with the virus instead of trying to maintain a COVID-zero policy.

The current outbreak and related restrictions on movement have impacted its manufacturing-led economy, forcing the closure of some factories.

“Around Sept. 30, safe localities can ease COVID restrictions and revive business and social activities,” Chinh told a government meeting.

Vietnam, with a population of 98 million, is accelerating its vaccine programme. Although daily inoculations have reached 700,000, its vaccination rate of 7.61% is one of the region’s lowest.