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PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc shares Vietnam's initial success in containing COVID-19 at the 73rd session of the WHO Assembly. Source: VGP

Vietnam has entered “new normal”, allowing the country to restart the economy, said Phuc while addressing the 73rd Session of the World Health Organization Assembly on May 19 held in the form of video conference on May 18-19 at the invitation of General Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus..

According to VGP, the event drew the participation of 15 special guests who are State/Government heads and nearly 150 health leaders.

PM Phuc expressed sympathies to the Governments and people around the world over the great losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and extended gratitude to all health workers and other frontliners who have worked hard to ensure public safety.

Having been deeply aware of the pandemic severity from the very early days, Vietnam has mobilized the involvement of authorities at all levels, national healthcare system, scientists and other forces in implementing numerous drastic measures, including preventing external sources of infection, zoning off affected areas, tracing and quarantining suspected cases, conducting mass testing and effectively treating coronavirus patients, Phuc said.

The government accepted sacrificing its economic interests in the short term to protect the health and safety of the people, he said, adding that the Government’s policies and containment measures have received great support from the public.

The Government’s policies and containment measures have been widely supported by the public, he added.

The country, with a population of nearly 100 million, has gone 32 days without new community infection and kept the patient tally at a relatively low of more than 320.

In a solidarity move, the Government, organizations, businesses and individuals have timely donated made-in-Vietnam medical supplies to and share experience with several countries, particularly those hit hardest, he said.

He called on countries to further enhance solidarity and mobilize resources to effectively curb the pandemic while working together to handle its far-reaching consequences.

“Alongside efforts to deal with the far-reaching consequences of the epidemic, countries need to devise a post-COVID-19 development plan, with a primary focus on supporting businesses in restoring production and maintaining social security for the people, especially those of vulnerable groups, to ensure no one is left behind,” said the Vietnamese Prime Minister.

As the current ASEAN Chair, Vietnam has led and participated in a number of meetings to rally efforts and pushed forward initiatives for joint actions against the pandemic.

Phuc expressed his strong belief that the international community will continue promoting the will and strength of each nation as well as the solidarity and cooperation to overcome this global crisis and build better future for each country and people.

Hanoi presents 200,000 face masks to French localities Hanoi on May 18 handed over 200,000 face masks to the Embassy of France to support people in Ile-de-France, Toulouse, and Choisy-le-Roi in their fight against COVID-19.

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