COVID-19 prevention and control: Latest Directive from the Prime Minister of Vietnam on social distancing

COVID-19 Prevention and Control: Latest Directive from the Prime Minister on social distancing​ (Image of a part of Notice 283)

After hearing the report from the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, opinions of the Deputy Prime Ministers, and participants at the meeting, the Prime Minister of the Government of Vietnam directed as follows:

1. Relevant ministries and local authorities must emphasize responsibility and determination to implement the prevention and control of the epidemic, especially in the next two weeks, particularly in Da Nang City, Quang Nam Province, and locations currently having outbreaks, including key areas such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

2. Require ministries and localities with outbreaks to mobilize all forces, ensuring four on-the-spot principles, effectively coordinating among forces with the determination to curb and control the epidemic, focusing to accomplish the following tasks:

- Zoning and strictly implementing social distancing in areas deemed to be epidemic hotspots.

- Continue rapid tracing, speeding up PCR testing especially for high-risk subjects; concentrate isolation for suspected cases, including appropriate isolation measures for people returning from Da Nang; decisively suppress the epidemic, actively treat infected cases; aim to contain, control, and minimize the spread of infection; pay attention to preventing infection risks for people with underlying conditions, chronic illnesses, and the elderly. Maintain task forces that go door-to-door to identify and apply appropriate measures for suspected cases early.

- Have plans and be ready with field hospitals in Da Nang City, Quang Nam Province, and some localities with infections.

- The Chairmen of Provincial and City People’s Committees with infected cases on their territories, depending on the epidemic developments, decide the risk level and apply appropriate anti-epidemic measures, decisively for each area on their localities to meet the epidemic prevention requirements while minimizing negative impacts on socio-economic activities; enhance online activities to prevent delays in tasks, especially time-limited, legally bound tasks, export activities, public services for people, and businesses; avoid measures that could “block rivers and ban markets,” causing obstacles and negative impacts on production, business, and public life contrary to regulations.

3. Require the People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-governed cities to be responsible to the Prime Minister of the Government of Vietnam for applying epidemic prevention and control measures on their localities; enhance epidemic prevention measures, especially in urban areas, major cities, densely populated areas, and industrial zones, including:

- Require everyone to strictly wear masks in public places, on public transport, and to limit unnecessary gatherings. Local authorities must ensure adequate supply of suitable masks for the people; advise people to voluntarily declare health status electronically.

- Enhance the review and inspection of compliance with epidemic prevention measures, strictly handle organizations, units, individuals neglecting or violating regulations (such as non-compliance with isolation, not wearing masks...); strictly handle cases of trading fake, poor-quality masks, medical supplies, equipment... The heads of agencies, units are responsible for strictly implementing epidemic prevention measures at their agencies, units.

4. The entire health sector is to continue maintaining red alert policies, upholding a sense of responsibility, and being ready for all epidemic scenarios. The Ministry of Health and the People's Committees at all levels must intensify guidance and strictly implement epidemic prevention measures at medical facilities, absolutely avoiding negligence or subjectivity. The health sector must enhance training and online guidance for medical staff at all healthcare facilities so that if and wherever a case arises, they know how to handle it promptly.

5. Localities with outbreaks must promptly enhance, ensuring sufficient materials and supplies for testing. Implement contractor selection in accordance with the law in purchasing reagents, supplies for testing, ensuring avoidance of wastage, negativity, and corruption; avoiding delays in testing; if funds are insufficient, promptly use contingency funds and report to the Central Government for specific solutions. Localities and the health sector must address this matter immediately.

6. The Ministry of Health must enhance the coordination and promptly support with means, manpower, materials, and reagents for testing and epidemic prevention at localities.

7. The Ministry of Health must increase the supply of ventilators and medical masks to localities with outbreaks; Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung is assigned to direct this promptly.

8. Ministries: Health, Information and Communications, and the Provincial People's Committees must strengthen communication, urging the public to stay alert, raise self-awareness, and actively implement epidemic prevention measures as per regulations and recommendations from health authorities.

The Prime Minister of the Government of Vietnam calls on everyone with a smartphone to actively install and use the Bluezone application to promptly detect and quickly trace those who are at risk of infection, preventing the spread of the epidemic. The Ministry of Information and Communications is directed to send messages and information via local broadcasting systems across the country, urging people to actively comply.

9. The Ministry of Education and Training and the Provincial People’s Committees must direct the review and completion of specific, appropriate plans to ensure the safety of the high school graduation exam, preventing infections.

10. Ministries and local authorities must ensure the provision and stockpiling of essential goods, food, and foodstuffs in case the epidemic prolongs, particularly in Da Nang, Quang Nam, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City; continue to strictly and resolutely apply epidemic prevention measures while maintaining continuity of economic activities, avoiding disruptions, proactively and positively promoting economic - social development activities, ensuring economic security.

Details can be found at Notice 283/TB-VPCP issued on August 8, 2020.

Nguyen Trinh

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