PM asks for a rise in vigilance against COVID-19

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has urged concerned authorities and the public to be vigilant against the complex developments of COVID-19 in Vietnam.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at a cabinet meeting on COVID-19 prevention and control on July 29, 2020. (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at a cabinet meeting on COVID-19 prevention and control on July 29, 2020. (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)

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The PM was chairing an online cabinet meeting with the relevant ministries, agencies and localities on July 29, discussing measures to deal with COVID-19 amid several community transmissions having been detected in the past few days.

Speaking at the meeting, PM Phuc said that the epidemic situation this time was different from the previous wave, as infections have spread in the community for many days without tracing the source of infection (F0), while the transmission is happening in a short time, posing risks to many major cities.

Therefore, the PM stressed the need for a rise in vigilance and responsibility, as well as to not to be caught off-guard or subjective against the pandemic.

Localities across the nation need to intensify communications to keep people on guard, while strictly implementing all guidance on the COVID-19 fight from the Party and State, he urged.

The PM suggested that the local health and finance sectors should ensure the capacity of the healthcare system, especially on testing, tracing and quickly isolating suspected cases and those having had close contacts with COVID-19 patients.

Military units need to provide the best isolation for Da Nang residents. The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Defence should strengthen relevant facilities and personnel not only for Da Nang but also for other localities when required, he asked.

The cabinet meeting was held online on July 29, 2020 to discuss COVID-19 prevention and control. (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)

Depending on the specific circumstances, localities should apply social distancing measures in a timely manner, he said, adding that practicing social distancing is not to block travel or ban markets but to take necessary measures to control disease transmission.

He suggested each locality develop a response scenario like in the first stage of the fight against the epidemic, in which, people need to be encouraged to restrict travel.

The PM asked the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Public Security to closely supervise the border and strengthen the management of isolation centres.

People in crowded places need to wear masks and wash their hands with soap, while places with epidemic prevalence are not permitted to organise major festivals, including funerals and weddings.

At the meeting, PM Phuc also suggested localities and the Ministry of Education and Training have plans to ensure safety for candidates sitting the national high school graduation exams in early August.

All localities must ensure social security and order, price control and the provision of sufficient essential goods to serve the people, he affirmed.

Emphasising the rapid speed of infection during this new wave, PM Phuc said that not only Da Nang, Quang Nam, Thua Thien Hue, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, but also coastal areas with tourist areas, as well as other localities, must develop proactive measures to prevent the epidemic from spreading further into the community.