Localities 'overdo it', making people afraid to return home for Tet

The epidemic situation across the country is well controlled.

In the past 2 days, only 6/10 provinces and cities recorded new cases (Dien Bien, Hai Duong, Hanoi, Gia Lai, Binh Duong, Quang Ninh). Most of the new cases in these provinces are people who have been quarantined, with little chance of spreading to the community...

According to the Ministry of Health, in the face of new developments in the epidemic situation, especially with the emergence of a new SARS-CoV-2 variant, urgent measures are required to promptly and effectively implement anti-epidemic measures to prevent the spread and widespread outbreak in provinces and cities.

The Ministry of Health recommends: Provinces and cities continue to thoroughly implement Directive No. 05/CT-TTg of the Prime Minister dated January 28, 2021 on a number of urgent measures to prevent and control the Covid-19 epidemic and the Prime Minister's instructions in Notice 22/TB-VPCP; Implement necessary anti-epidemic measures according to the direction of the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control and the guidance of the Ministry of Health to prevent the spread of the epidemic.

After listening to the report of the Ministry of Health, the Standing Committee of the Steering Committee unanimously agreed that the epidemic situation across the country is well controlled, from the outbreaks in Hai Duong, Quang Ninh to the situation in Hanoi, Gia Lai, Binh Duong, Ho Chi Minh City...

Delegates also discussed a number of issues related to controlling people's movement in the context of an epidemic; adjusting the time of centralized quarantine; assessing the outbreak situation in Dien Bien province...

People not living in the locked-down area can still travel normally.

Regarding the control of people's movement in epidemic areas, according to Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Dac Phu - Senior Advisor of the Vietnam Center for Public Health Emergency Response (Ministry of Health), many provinces have not done it properly, "out of fear, they have overdone it and tightened it" so that people do not dare to return to their hometowns.

Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Dac Phu suggested that the Ministry of Health soon issue a document, clearly defining the epidemic points and epidemic areas so that localities have a basis for unified implementation, avoiding the situation where each province has a different understanding.

Regarding this issue, Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen said that the Ministry of Health is developing and will soon issue specific guidance documents on epidemic areas. On that basis, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee will decide on the epidemic area and blockade.

All people living in the blockade area are "not allowed in or out", except in special cases (for example, people who are seriously ill and need to be taken to the emergency room...) who are allowed to leave the blockade area and are strictly controlled.

People who do not live in the locked-down area can still travel normally, only need to make a medical declaration and do not have to be quarantined (except in cases identified as F1, F2).

Localities “must not block rivers and prohibit markets”, must not “overdo” requirements, causing obstacles and difficulties for people – Deputy Minister Do Xuan Tuyen clearly stated.

In addition, the Ministry of Health said it is closely coordinating with localities, from the blockade-within-blockade models implemented in Chi Linh City (Hai Duong) or isolating small points, many small points are isolated into one large point in Quang Ninh to provide specific instructions in accordance with the Prime Minister's direction to try to block off as compactly as possible.

The Standing Committee of the Steering Committee suggested that the Ministry of Health should soon issue guidelines on "lockdown within lockdown", trying to limit the area as narrow as possible, ensuring the circulation of goods for people during Tet.

Adjust the centralized isolation time accordingly

Recently, we have stipulated a 21-day centralized quarantine period (previously, the centralized quarantine period was 14 days). At the meeting, the leader of the Ministry of Health said that research results showed that although the new virus strain has a higher transmission rate and a faster onset time, the incubation period of all variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is around 14 days. Therefore, the Ministry of Health is reviewing the final scientific analysis to issue a document adjusting the centralized quarantine period. In fact, countries around the world are also implementing centralized quarantine for 14 days.

Tight control of public transport

However, through the practice of the bus from Dien Bien (long-distance bus) picking up and dropping off passengers along the way, experts and members of the Steering Committee especiallyconcern, because this trip contains many risks. Currently, the authorities are urgently tracing and finding passengers who got off the bus along the way.

In addition, due to the time near Tet, people travel a lot, so it is necessary to strictly control and ensure strict implementation of regulations on epidemic prevention and control in the field of transportation, especially public passenger transport (taxi, bus, plane, etc.); request strict handling of passenger cars carrying more people than prescribed, not complying with epidemic prevention and control regulations; request people to strictly wear masks and prevent and control epidemics when using public transportation.

The Steering Committee also requested that localities strengthen direction, strictly punish violations and take responsibility if an epidemic occurs in the area.