Hot: Ho Chi Minh City and 18 southern provinces of Vietnam continue social distancing for another 14 days

Official Telegram No. 1063/CĐ-TTg stated clearly that, under the complicated situation of COVID-19, the Prime Minister of Vietnam requested Chairmans of People’s Committees of provinces and central-affiliated cities to implement 6 following important contents:

(1) Continue to apply social distancing measures under Directive 16 for an additional 14 days (from the date of end of social distancing according to Official Telegram 969/TTg-KGVX) for provinces and central-affiliated cities in the southern region including Ho Chi Minh City and the provinces of Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Can Tho, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Tien Giang, Long An, Vinh Long, Dong Thap, Ben Tre, Hau Giang, An Giang, Bac Lieu, Soc Moon, Tra Vinh, Ca Mau, Kien Giang.

Provinces after a period of implementing social distancing, if the epidemic has been controlled, these provinces can ease social distance according to each region within the province. For the interprovincial area, there must be an agreement with the relevant provinces and must report to the Government's Special Working Group and the Head of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control of Vietnam before making a decision.

(2) The provinces and central-affiliated cities shall focus on directing the strong, drastic, substantive and effective implementation of specific measures to prevent and control the epidemic in accordance with the direction of the Government and the Prime Minister and the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control has been issued in the past time.

(3) The localities which are implementing the social distancing according to Directive 16/CT-TTg must strictly and consistently follow the guideline that it can only be done higher and earlier, in accordance with the actual situation in the locality.

Widely propagate, strictly control and immediately implement necessary measures to support life and health so that people can feel secure to “stay where they are”. Absolutely do not let people move from their residences from 31 July 2021 until the social distancing is over (except for those authorized by the government).

Leaders of provinces and cities are answerable to the Prime Minister in case the people move out of their localities on their own. For people who have left the province to go to another province, the relevant provinces must organize the pick-up and drop-off to the destination to ensure safety.

Organize testing and transporting by long-distance bus (trucks can be arranged to carry people's motorbikes if they have motorbikes). Carry out full handover, organize isolation and medical supervision in accordance with regulations in order not to let the disease spread.

Ministry of Public Security directs the provincial and city police to advise the Provincial People's Committee and organize the transportation of people.

Organize the system and network in order to take care and treatment for people who are infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus according to treatment tiers; focus and prioritize capacity, improve treatment quality, especially for critically ill patients, minimize deaths.

(4) The provinces and central-affiliated cities:

Strictly comply with regulations on disease prevention and control, maintain anti-epidemic results, do not let the disease spread in the area, coordinate, support and provide appropriate aid to Ho Chi Minh City and epidemic-affected localities which has complicated situation.

Mobilize, appeal and control people in Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Long An and localities which are implementing social distancing do not leave the area, remain the spirit “stay where they are”.

Organize to provide immediately and enough food for all poor workers who lose income and no longer have reserves. Do not let anybody lack of food or clothing. Organize necessary medical assistance for all people. Support people who are stuck in Ho Chi Minh City and the provinces that are experiencing complicated epidemics, with a large number of cases.

Organize to vaccinate to the right subjects quickly, safely and effectively, do not let vaccines expired; absolutely do not allow the situation of giving, choosing type of vaccines, taking advantage of the position to inject the wrong people and other negative aspects in vaccination. Strictly and promptly handle violations according to law. Heads of government at all levels are directly responsible for disease prevention and control, including vaccination.

Strengthen the mobilization of medical staff (especially the resuscitation force) regardless of public and private participation in epidemic prevention and control in the locality. Take appropriate measures to improve the quality and quantity of doctors, nurses and technicians. Ready to provide aid to localities which have complicated situation of disease, with a large number of cases such as Ho Chi Minh City and some southern localities under the coordination of the Ministry of Health.

Focus on taking care of morale, ensuring means of protection, and providing material support to medical forces and front forces who directly fight the epidemic. Having plans for rational use of the medical force, where medical staff is not necessarily needed, shall guide other forces and the people to do the work.

Planning and implementing the procurement of medical supplies and equipment; plans to ensure production, social security and social order according to epidemic scenarios; get ready for a bad situation. Absolutely do not let negativity in shopping.

(5) The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Information and Communications shall guide and direct publicly, transparently and promptly all information on epidemic prevention and control so that people know, support and actively participate in and implement the epidemic prevention and control measures.

The Ministry of Public Security directs to strictly handle cases of spreading false information that negatively affect epidemic prevention and control.

(6) The Ministry of Health shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with relevant Ministries and agencies in, speeding up and efficiency in following a shortened administrative procedure for the production and supply of vaccines and drugs for the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic; review and propose additional appropriate regimes and policies for medical staffs and frontline forces in epidemic prevention and control.

Bao Ngoc

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