Directive No. 19/CT-TTg dated April 24, 2020 on a new stage of prevention and control of Covid-19

DIRECTIVE

A NEW STAGE OF PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF COVID-19

Covid-19 has spread globally, infected millions people, caused hundred thousands of deaths and seriously impacted socio-economic situation worldwide. After 3 weeks of “nationwide quarantine” under the Prime Minister’s Directive No. 16/CT-TTg dated March 31, 2020, we have detected and promptly eliminate the infection clusters, maintain control over the rate of community transmission. Most patients have recovered and no deaths have occurred. However, the disease is still developing in a very complicated manner and outbreak is still a major threat. This negatively affects socio-economic development and everyday life.

In order to ensure effective implementation of epidemic prevention and control while reopening the economy to ensure social security and stability, the Prime Minister (PM) hereby requests that:

1. Ministries, ministerial agencies, governmental agencies, the People’s Committees of provinces shall adhere to the following principles:

a) The country is fighting a “war” against Covid-19. This requires participation of the entire political system and the whole population, good discipline and responsibility of the leaders, strict implementation of epidemic prevention and control measures established by the Politburo, the Communist Party Secretariat, the National Assembly, the Government and the PM. Maintain business operation and creation of employment under management of the People’s Committees of provinces and certain conditions;

b) Officials and public employees and Communist Party members shall be the role models in implementation of epidemic prevention and control measures.

c) Consistently implement the epidemic prevention and control principles: prevent, detect, isolate, contain, eliminate infection;

d) Restrictions could be loosen according to the epidemic situation; reopen the economy while maintaining control over the epidemic situation, especially in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and major cities.

2. Ministries, relevant agencies, the People’s Committees of provinces shall preside over implementation of the following measures:

a) Washing hands with soap or sanitizer; wearing facemasks outside; maintenance of safety distance from other people; ban crowds in public places, outside offices, schools and hospitals;

b) Suspend festivals, religious rituals, sports events, events that crowded events in public places and stadiums, and major events that are not necessary at the moment.

c) Suspend operation of non-essential service establishments (amusement centers, beauty salons, karaoke bars, massage parlor, dance clubs, etc.) and other service establishments under decisions or directives of Presidents of the People’s Committees of provinces.

d) Service establishments (wholesaling, retailing, lottery, hotels, lodging, restaurants, etc.) other than the establishments mentioned in (2.c), gyms, historical remains and tourist attractions may reopen, provided epidemic prevention and control are fully implemented: provide employees with personal protective equipment (PPE); take body temperature of visitors; provide adequate supplies for washing hands and disinfecting the establishment; maintain safety distance between people.

dd) Inter-provincial and inner-provincial passenger transport is permitted, provided epidemic prevention and control measures established by Ministry of Transport are fully implemented, such as: the driver and passengers have to wear facemasks; passengers are enabled to wash their hand with soap or sanitizer.

Regarding air passenger transport, other measures specific to air transport may be implemented to ensure safety for passengers, prevent transmission of the disease.

e) Reduce the quantity or density of students in classrooms; schedule alternate classes, lunchtime and collective activities to avoid forming crowds; clean and disinfect classrooms; enable online learning; implement infection prevention measures to protect the students.

g) Factories may maintain operation as long as workers are protected from infection.

h) Heads of organizations, units and factories are responsible for preparing the plan for protection of workers; do not hold unnecessary crowded meetings or conventions; do not delay works, especially those with deadlines and public services, to serve the people and enterprises.

Local agencies of the Communist Party and local governments shall decide organization of important political, economic or social events and implement infection prevention measures such as: wearing facemasks, sanitizing hands, maintaining distance between participants; implement medical monitoring; do not hold parties.

3. The PM will decide the level of infection risk of each province in consideration of proposals by National Steering Committee for Prevention and Control of Covid-19 (hereinafter referred to as "National Steering Committee”).

4. Presidents of the People’s Committees of provinces, in addition to the measures specified in (2), shall be in charge or organizing epidemic prevention and control measures that correspond to the level of risk of their provinces. To be specific:

a) High-risk provinces shall keep implementing epidemic prevention and control measures specified in the PM’s Directive No. 16/CT-TTg .

b) In medium-risk provinces:

- Advise the people to avoid going outside unless necessary and implement preventive measures while doing so.

- Ban crowds of more than 20 people in public places, outside offices, schools, hospitals; maintain a safety distance of 01 m from other people.

c) In low-risk provinces:

- Advise the people to avoid going outside unless necessary and implement preventive measures while doing so.

- Ban crowds of more than 30 people in public places, outside offices, schools, hospitals; maintain a safety distance of 01 m from other people.

d) Presidents of the People’s Committees of relevant provinces shall identify the high-risk areas in their provinces and strictly implement the epidemic prevention and control measures specified in the Directive No. 16/CT-TTg .

5. The Ministry of Health shall preside over the following tasks:

a) Detection, isolation, containment of infection clusters; application of information technology to contact tracing.

b) Classification of patients since admission; Prevent infection at health facilities; protect health workers, participant in Covid-19 prevention and control, old people, people having underlying medical conditions and vulnerable people.

c) Provision of guidance of epidemic prevention and control at businesses, factories and on vehicles.

6. The Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall maintain entry restrictions; all inbound travelers shall be quarantined as per regulations.

7. The Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Health, the People’s Committees of relevant provinces shall organize the quarantine process and improve the conditions in quarantine facilities.

8. Ministries and ministerial agencies shall provide guidance on goods epidemic prevention and control measures in the facilities and activities under their management.

9. The Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Government Office shall preside over implementation of information technology in medical examination and treatment, work performance, online learning, e-commerce, cashless payment, completion of administrative procedures and provision of public services; promote development of electronic government and digital economy.

10. Ministries, ministerial agencies, the People’s Committees of provinces shall keep communicating information about epidemic prevention and control and socio-economic development; increase inspection and take actions, including criminal prosecution, against irresponsibility and violations of regulations on epidemic prevention and control.

11. Ministries, relevant agencies, the People’s Committees of relevant provinces shall preside over the implementation of socio-economic development measures. To be specific:

a) The Ministry of Industry and Trade, reliant Ministries and authorities shall speed up the process of conclusion of export contracts with EVFTA States; prepare conditions and goods, especially goods with export potentials, in order to execute them immediately after other countries reopen.

b) Ensure adequate supply of raw materials for production and export.

c) Promote domestic market development; have measures to boost demand and consumption, especially e-commerce and retailing system; ensure adequate supply of essential consumables for the people in any situation; gradually reopen domestic tourism.

d) Develop plans for resumption of socio-economic activities while maintaining epidemic prevention and control principles.

12. The Minister of Labor, War Invalid and Social Affairs, the Minister of Finance, Presidents of the People’s Committees of provinces shall promptly implement social security measures in accordance with the Government’s Resolution No. 42/NQ-CP dated April 09, 2020 on assistance for people affected by Covid-19; ensure timeliness, transparency and eligibility of beneficiaries.

13. Vietnamese Fatherland Front and associations should cooperate with local governments in encouraging the people to be on alert and participate in Covid-19 prevention and control effort.

14. Ministers, Heads of ministerial agencies and governmental agencies, Presidents of the People’s Committees of provinces, enterprises, organizations, households and individuals are responsible for the implementation of this Directive./.