>>> Three weeks pass without new COVID-19 infections in community
>>> PM orders early recovery of socio-economic activities
Speaking at a teleconference on the COVID-19 fight on the morning of Thursday (May 7), the cabinet leader stated that Vietnam has reported no new infections within the community for 21 days in a row, due to the great effort from the relevant agencies and authorities in coping with the epidemic.
The whole country is now in a low risk period for COVID-19 transmission, however, the disease remains a complex matter worldwide, even in Southeast Asia, PM Phuc warned, urging every citizen and business to establish a “new normal” in socio-economic activities, so that economic recovery can be promoted but with due vigilance shown to the disease.
The government leader also asked for the continued easing of coronavirus restrictions combined with measures to prevent the epidemic from entering Vietnam from outside. Entries to Vietnam (overseas Vietnamese) must be sent to concentrated isolation camps for 14-day quarantine, except for experts, skilled workers and investors, who must undergo appropriate local isolation, the PM guided.
Health authorities at all levels were asked to be ready to respond to any positive cases that could be detected in the community in the near future.
The PM also agreed to abolish compulsory social distancing in the classroom and lift the seat limitation on public transport, but mandatory measures such as wearing face masks in public places and on public transport, washing hands frequently and ensuring personal hygiene should be maintained.
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Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc addresses an online cabinet meeting on the COVID-19 fight, Hanoi, May 7, 2020. (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)
Most non-essential services except karaoke parlours and discos are allowed to go back to normal operation but with disease prevention measures, the same condition being applied to sports events and festivals, as well as hospitals.
The PM asked relevant authorities and localities to seriously implement the solutions assigned by the Government, focusing on removing difficulties for production and business development. He emphasised that financial support packages must become effective ahead of his conference with businesses slated for May 9, and ordered the implementation of social welfare packages for disadvantaged people affected by COVID-19.
He asked border provinces to reopen only auxiliary border gates with huge flows of goods, especially farm produce, fisheries products, and essential materials serving domestic production, while ensuring disease prevention and control. Only goods - no passengers - are allowed to enter Vietnam, he emphasised.
In regards to tourism, the PM urged the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to boost the domestic market, especially during the summer holidays, and to map out plans to restart the international market at a suitable time.
Vietnamese citizens stranded abroad will be brought home in line with domestic quarantine capacity, he explained.
