Ministry orders stronger preventive measures amid Omicron surge

The Ministry of Health has asked localities to set out scenarios and plans to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, given the emergence of the Omicron variant that is raging around the world.

Ministry orders stronger preventive measures amid Omicron surge (Source: Ministry of Health)
Ministry orders stronger preventive measures amid Omicron surge (Source: Ministry of Health)

In Vietnam, Omicron cases have been found in all northern, central and southern regions, all imported and quarantined in a timely manner.

In a dispatch sent to heads of COVID-19 prevention and control boards, and Chairpersons of People’s Committees of cities and provinces, the ministry ordered stronger preventive measures.

It asked localities to improve medical capacity, especially at the grassroots level, and ensure medical supplies as well as personnel to serve the combat.

People entering Vietnam must undergo close monitoring, the ministry said, stressing that great efforts are needed in contact tracing, medical quarantine and testing even when a single Omicron case is detected.

The ministry urged localities to speed up vaccination for people above 12 years old, review the list of high-risk groups, and those with underlying diseases, while continuing with the use of health record platforms.

It emphasised pandemic prevention and control at industrial parks, schools and workplaces, particularly hospitals, production facilities, supermarkets, airports, and bus and railway stations.

Localities need to step up the communication work to raise public awareness of the variant and encourage them to seriously observe the 5K message - khau trang (facemask), khu khuan (disinfection), khoang cach (distance), khong tu tap (no gathering), and khai bao y te (health declaration), and other pandemic prevention and control regulations, the ministry said.