COVID-19 disease is announced officially to be a nationwide pandemic in Vietnam

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Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc announces Monday afternoon the COVID-19 a pandemic in Vietnam (Photo: VNA)

The PM’s agreement was reached at the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control's proposal.

Phuc said this was a crucial time in the COVID-19 fight, and urges the country’s political system and authorities at all levels to concentrate on the battle.

“We cannot be ignorant, we have rolled out many strict measures but on the street, on the beach, there are still many people, and in some places in some places the policy of not gathering more than 20 people is not strictly implemented, which has been creating high infection risks”, the PM said at the meeting.

The meeting also listened that social-distancing must be prioritised.

Accordingly, all residents and expats in Vietnam must stay right where they are in at least the next 15 days to contain further infections.

Agencies should arrange staff to work at home and handle work through telecommunication except for the utmost important tasks that require on-the-spot presence like processing confidential documents, essential services and production for the economy.

Phuc also stated that the country should basically stop public transportation and minimise the use of personal vehicles. He requested the Defence Ministry to ensure the separation of old and new quarantine zones to avoid cross-infection between former residents and newcomers into quarantine areas.

For hospitals throughout the system, the Ministry of Health should have appropriate regulations to avoid an individual spreads the disease across the hospital.

Regarding social security, the Prime Minister said the Government will discuss this issue on April 1, first of all focusing on people with very low incomes.

The PM asked relevant agencies to ensure the supply of essential commodities and food and to ensure appropriate prices and quality.

He hoped the media would continue to promote accurate information so the people can rest assured, understand, support and voluntarily implement the policies of the Government and the committee.

Regarding co-operation in manufacturing ventilators, the PM assigned Deputy Prime Minister Trịnh Đình Dũng to take charge of this issue.

The PM agreed to allow Bach Mai Hospital to continue to treat patients in need of critical care, requesting the hospital strictly take care of the safety of health care workers and patients.

The steering committee's proposal to stop insurance businesses from selling insurance packages specifically for COVID-19 was also agreed.

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