Tet flower markets in Hanoi Old Quarter deserted due to Covid-19, in photos
	Deputy PM: COVID-19 clusters in Hai Duong and Quang Ninh basically put under control
	Health Minister: More drastic measures needed to stem quick spread of Covid-19

Deputy Prime Minister speaks at the online meeting between the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control and Hai Duong, Quang Ninh and Hanoi authorities on February 3. Photo: VNA

During an online meeting between the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control and Hai Duong, Quang Ninh and Hanoi authorities, the Deputy PM stressed that the army should be ready to offer assistance to other localities when new cases are discovered.

Localities reported that COVID-19 outbreak in Chi Linh city (Hai Duong province) has been put under control while Hanoi has basically curbed the source of transmission from Hai Duong, the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.

Members of the committee suggested Hanoi expand tracing down people returning from Quang Ninh, and urged Quang Ninh to stay vigilant against the complicated developments of the pandemic.

As the pandemic situation is complicated in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai, experts suggested the Health Ministry increase support for the locality in the regard.

Participants agreed with the need to conduct health declaration for all citizens nationwide. The Health Ministry was assigned to update and announce relevant information while localities must seriously punish those who do not wear masks when going out.

Fences are put up at a road leading to Cai Rong Town, Quang Ninh province, which is under lockdown, February 1, 2021. Photo: VnExpress

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee Chu Xuan Dung said Hanoi has ordered restaurants, karaoke parlors, bars, discotheques and game shops to suspend operations, while limiting festivals and events gathering large numbers of people before, during and after the Lunar New Year.

All district and communal administrations have been instructed to strictly punish people who do not wear masks in public places and conduct testing for F1 and F2 cases at the earliest time.

Vietnam recorded 20 new Covid-19 cases on February 3, 19 of them local, bringing the national tally to 1,911.

Hai Duong province recorded 14 new cases, nine of them factory workers in Chi Linh Town, which has been locked down.

Quang Ninh province has confirmed four new patients and the remaining case is in Gia Lai province.

A medical staff takes samples from a man to test for the novel coronavirus in Hanoi. Photo: VnExpress

Meanwhile, the central province of Quang Nam has confirmed one imported case, that of "Patient 1902," a 25-year-old man who landed Monday at the Da Nang International Airport on Vietjet flight VJ5925 from Japan.

Vietnam has recorded 329 community transmissions of COVID-19 in 10 localities since January 28. Hai Duong leads with 240 cases, followed by Quang Ninh 42, and Hanoi 21, VnExpress said.

The national tally is now at 1,911, with 1,461 recoveries and 35 deaths. Most active patients are in stable conditions with 12 having tested negative for the novel coronavirus at least once.

Over 48,000 people are in quarantined with over 22,000 in quarantine facilities, 378 in hospitals and the rest at home or other designated accommodations.

Globally, COVID-19 has claimed 2.2 million lives among 104 million confirmed cases./.

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