The Government issued a Resolution on urgent solutions to prevent and combat the Covid-19 epidemic.

The Prime Minister assigns tasks in directing and operating the work of preventing and fighting the Covid-19 epidemic. Photo: Document

Under the close leadership and direction of the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat, the General Secretary, the National Assembly, the President, the Chairman of the National Assembly and the close coordination of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; with the spirit of "fighting the epidemic like fighting the enemy", the Government and the Prime Minister promptly issued many resolutions, directives and documents to focus on directing all levels, sectors and localities to resolutely, synchronously and flexibly implement tasks and solutions to prevent and combat the Covid-19 epidemic to adapt to the situation; mobilize the participation of the entire political system and the active participation of the business community and people nationwide; with the requirement of putting the lives and health of the people first and foremost, thereby gradually controlling the epidemic situation, soon bringing life back to a "new normal" state.

The Government acknowledges and highly appreciates the sense of responsibility, determination, solidarity, and consensus in sharing to prevent and fight the epidemic of all levels, sectors, localities, business communities and people nationwide; especially commends the frontline forces against the epidemic, the team of doctors, nurses, technicians, cadres, medical staff, military officers and soldiers, police, grassroots cadres and volunteers who have devoted themselves and made outstanding efforts in the work of preventing and fighting the Covid-19 epidemic, protecting and taking care of people's health.

However, in the work of preventing and fighting the Covid-19 epidemic, many agencies, units and localities have not strictly, decisively and substantially implemented the prescribed measures, and have even been subjective and negligent; lacking in urging, inspection and supervision. Implementation is still a weak link that has been slow to be overcome, especially at the grassroots level in some localities.

The implementation of the "4 on-the-spot" motto in many places has not been thoroughly understood, is not correct, not fully responsible, and has revealed many limitations leading to confusion when the situation and developments of the epidemic change. The organization of vaccination is still slow, not really scientific and effective. The management and control of people entering and leaving epidemic areas is not strict, many places are still lax and subjective. The organization of transportation and circulation of goods is still both unsafe and locally congested. A number of organizations, businesses and people are not aware of the danger and rapid spread of the new Delta variant and have not fully and seriously complied with regulations on disease prevention and control.

In the coming time, the Covid-19 epidemic situation will continue to develop in a complicated and unpredictable manner, seriously threatening the lives and health of the people and greatly affecting many aspects of social life, especially in the context of limited vaccine supply and no specific treatment drugs. Preventing and fighting the Covid-19 epidemic is an urgent, central and top priority task of all levels, sectors, localities and the entire population in the current period.

Pursuant to Conclusion No. 11-KL/TW dated July 13, 2021 of the 3rd Central Conference of the 13th tenure, Document No. 79-CV/TW dated January 29, 2020 of the Secretariat, Notice No. 172-TB/TW dated March 21, 2020 on the conclusion of the Politburo on the work of preventing and controlling the Covid-19 pandemic, Conclusion of the Politburo in Official Dispatch No. 50-CV/VPTW dated February 19, 2021 of the Party Central Office, Conclusion No. 07-KL/TW dated June 11, 2021 of the Politburo on the work of preventing and controlling the Covid-19 pandemic, Telegram dated July 21, 2021 of the Standing Secretariat, Appeal for prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic dated July 29, 2021 of the General Secretary and Resolution No. 30/2021/QH15 dated July 28, 2021 of the National Assembly, the Government requests ministries, branches, localities, agencies and units, within the scope of their assigned functions, tasks and authorities, to strictly and effectively implement the directive documents of the Party, the National Assembly, the President, the Appeal of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the Resolutions of the Government: No. 21/NQ-CP dated February 26, 2021, No. 78/NQ-CP dated July 20, 2021 and No. 79/NQ-CP dated July 22, 2021, the Directives of the Prime Minister: No. 15/CT-TTg dated March 27, 2020 (Directive 15), No. 16/CT-TTg dated March 31, 2020 (Directive 16) and No. 19/CT-TTg dated April 24, 2020 (Directive 19), Decision No. 2686/QD-BCDQG dated May 31, 2021 (Decision 2686) of the National Steering Committee for Prevention and Control of Acute Respiratory Diseases Caused by the New Coronavirus (National Steering Committee) and other documents of competent authorities at the central and local levels.

Perform hand sanitizer and body temperature measurement for social activities. Photo: Duc Anh

To continue focusing on preventing, repelling, and controlling the Covid-19 epidemic well, avoiding a health, economic and social crisis, the Government unanimously issued a Resolution on urgent solutions to prevent and combat the Covid-19 epidemic to implement Resolution No. 30/2021/QH15 dated July 28, 2021 of the 15th National Assembly with the following main contents:

Urgent solutions

The resolution clearly states urgent solutions that need to be implemented. Specifically:

On applying measures to prevent and control the Covid-19 epidemic, based on Decision No. 2686 of the National Steering Committee, the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province or centrally-run city (provincial level) shall proactively decide and direct subordinates to strictly apply the prescribed solutions, corresponding to the risk levels in the spirit of Directive 15, Directive 16 and Directive 19 of the Prime Minister with the motto that it can be applied earlier, higher but not later, lower; in which special attention should be paid in leadership and direction:

The application of epidemic prevention and control measures, especially social distancing, must be implemented substantially, strictly, strongly, resolutely, and closely from the beginning, throughout all levels; whatever is done must be decisive, without hesitation, indecision, lack of courage. Sticking closely to reality with the spirit of "effectiveness above all", promoting a high sense of responsibility, creativity, learning from experience while doing and gradually expanding, perfecting, and adjusting immediately to ensure that it is close to the situation in the spirit of not being perfectionist, not being hasty, and absolutely not being subjective, negligent, or losing vigilance when the epidemic passes; superiors must regularly urge and inspect subordinates, review the stages, conditions, and measures for epidemic prevention and control to be ready to respond quickly when the epidemic situation changes.

Localities, based on the general regulations of the Central Government, proactively issue regulations on epidemic prevention and control according to their authority, ensuring uniformity, consistency, effectiveness, and suitability with the requirements of epidemic prevention and control in the locality. Special attention is paid to directing close coordination and timely information between sectors and localities. People's Committees at all levels promptly handle arising issues in accordance with the specific situation in the locality and are responsible to their immediate superiors.

All localities are directed to strictly implement the motto of "going to every alley, knocking on every door, checking every person", detecting and immediately handling people coming from epidemic areas or from other localities according to local regulations without declaration, and people leaving localities under social distancing without permission from competent authorities according to regulations.

Based on the situation and requirements for disease prevention and control, proactively and flexibly apply necessary measures such as: Restricting certain means of transport, requiring people not to leave their place of residence for a certain period of time, in certain areas and localities on the principle of "wherever you are, stay there"; absolutely not allowing people to spontaneously leave the area where the epidemic is spreading to other areas and localities; organizing forces to ensure security, order and social safety in the epidemic area; implementing special measures on communication and using means of communication; calling, persuading, mobilizing, requisitioning assets, means, equipment and other measures that can be applied in an emergency to promptly prevent the spread of the epidemic within the scope of management authority. If necessary, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee shall report to the Prime Minister before applying.

Strictly handle violations, including criminal handling according to the law, for all acts of non-compliance, obstruction, and opposition to the implementation of regulations and measures to prevent and control epidemics by competent authorities.

The Ministry of Public Security directs local police forces to advise Party committees and authorities at all levels and act as the core in organizing the strict implementation of these tasks.

The Government requires localities implementing social distancing according to Directive 15 and Directive 16 of the Prime Minister to strictly implement "policy 1, organize implementation 10", ensuring strictness and substance. Absolutely do not let social distancing happen in form or "tight on the outside, loose on the inside". From the date of starting social distancing: within 14 days, it is necessary to specifically identify and firmly protect "green zones"; have specific measures and roadmaps to convert "yellow zones" into "green zones", "orange zones" into "yellow zones" and tightly isolate and narrow "red zones"; within 28 days, the situation in the area must be controlled, and "red zones" must be isolated to the narrowest extent.

Ho Chi Minh City strives to control the epidemic before September 15, 2021. The provinces of Binh Duong, Long An, and Dong Nai strive to control the epidemic before September 1, 2021. Other provinces and cities strive to control the epidemic before August 25, 2021. The Ministry of Health provides specific implementation instructions.

Along with strictly implementing social distancing measures to prevent and fight the epidemic, ministries, branches and localities proactively develop and implement plans to meet the needs of food, foodstuffs and essential necessities, absolutely not letting anyone go hungry, while ensuring safety requirements for disease prevention and control; promptly providing emergency care and treatment to all people anytime, anywhere.

Synchronize testing, care, and treatment to minimize mortality

Regarding medical work,The Government assigned the Ministry of Health to closely follow the epidemic developments in the country and around the world, update advanced solutions in epidemic prevention, control and treatment to promptly issue or propose the issuance of adjustment documents, regulations and instructions. The instructions must be clear, easy to understand, easy to remember, easy to do, easy to monitor, check and easy to evaluate; must clearly state mandatory (hard) points and principles so that on that basis, localities can promote the spirit of initiative, responsibility, dare to think, dare to do and apply creatively.

a) About testing:

The Ministry of Health updates, supplements, guides and promptly organizes training on testing techniques to ensure scientific, practical, effective, and avoid abuse and waste. Provides guidance, recommendations, and warnings on testing equipment and reagents so that localities can proactively purchase them. The Ministry of Health organizes centralized procurement of necessary supplies and equipment in the spirit of saving and efficiency; strengthens supervision and immediately corrects unscientific and unfocused organizations, which both fail to prevent the spread of the epidemic and are wasteful.

Localities are directed to conduct "lightning-speed" testing of subjects at high risk of infection in the area to detect F0 as quickly as possible to serve the work of tracing and classifying for immediate treatment; must control, absolutely not miss, do not let F0 continue to contact, move and spread the disease to the community.

Areas under lockdown need to focus on testing to detect F0 as quickly as possible, preventing it from spreading to the community. For areas with widespread and deep spread such as Ho Chi Minh City and some neighboring provinces, it is necessary to carry out synchronous testing, care, and treatment to ensure the maximum reduction of severe illness and mortality rates and absolutely prevent it from spreading to other areas.

b) Regarding screening, classification of infected people and treatment of Covid-19 patients:

The Ministry of Health provides professional guidance; localities and ministries direct health agencies and medical facilities under their authority to organize screening and classification of infected people according to their condition and disease progression to have appropriate and effective monitoring, care and treatment measures, ensuring a reduction in the rate of infected people with symptoms and the rate of progression to more severe disease at all levels and treatment classes. Special attention is paid to the management and care of infected people without symptoms; proactively preparing medical oxygen (especially centralized oxygen systems) at treatment levels. Appropriately coordinate and concentrate all resources and equipment to treat and reduce severe and critical patients, minimizing deaths. Maintain the safe operation of the medical examination and treatment system. Ensure a permanent emergency system, ambulances, medical oxygen, ventilators and essential medical equipment for disease prevention and control, emergency care and treatment of patients.

c) Regarding vaccines and drugs to treat Covid-19:

- Under the direction of the Prime Minister, the Ministries of Health, National Defense, Public Security, and Foreign Affairs have promoted "vaccine diplomacy" activities by all means; promoted aid, purchase, and import of vaccines to meet the requirements of vaccination as quickly and as much as possible, and soon achieve community immunity;

- Based on the direction and policies of the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister - Head of the National Steering Committee, the Ministry of Health promptly allocates vaccines to provinces and cities, giving priority to localities with many infected people, many deaths, complicated epidemic situations, rapid spread, large cities, densely populated areas, many industrial parks, in accordance with the requirements of disease prevention and control for each locality and publicizing the allocation. If necessary, the Minister of Health shall report to the Prime Minister for adjustment or the Prime Minister shall direct the Ministry of Health to adjust the allocation. Based on the guidance of the Ministry of Health, the Provincial People's Committee shall decide on prioritizing vaccination subjects suitable and effective for the epidemic situation;

The Prime Minister directed the licensing and use of Nanocovax vaccine.

- The Ministry of Health shall preside over and coordinate with ministries, branches and localities to direct the organization of vaccination, ensuring the fastest, safest and most effective progress, in accordance with the epidemic situation in each place; mobilize all public and private medical forces and other supporting forces to implement the vaccination campaign nationwide, especially in localities with many infected cases. Strengthen the search and encourage businesses, organizations and individuals to proactively seek sources and purchase vaccines and drugs to treat Covid-19. The Ministry of Health is responsible for inspecting, licensing, preserving and directing and guiding the organization of free vaccination campaigns for people;

- The Ministries of Health, National Defense, Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and relevant ministries and agencies coordinate closely and effectively, direct the acceleration of research, application, technology transfer, organize clinical trials with research facilities, transfer, produce vaccines, grant conditional use licenses, produce vaccines, drugs to treat Covid-19 and medical equipment and supplies domestically to meet the requirements of disease prevention and control as quickly as possible, as soon as possible and at the lowest possible price; create all favorable conditions for research, technology transfer, ensure fairness in technology transfer, production of vaccines and treatment drugs; consult with other countries' experiences and consult with the World Health Organization (WHO) when necessary;

- Based on the proposals of the Ministry of Health, ministries, agencies and units, the Ministry of Finance shall preside over the synthesis and submit to competent authorities for decision on a number of appropriate and effective incentive and support policies for research, application and technology transfer for the production of vaccines, drugs to treat Covid-19 and necessary medical equipment and supplies domestically.

d) Develop scenarios and ensure medical work to prevent and control Covid-19 epidemic:

- Based on the risk level and disease developments, the Ministry of Health develops low, medium and high-level epidemic prevention and control scenarios and corresponding response plans to ensure medical work nationwide. On that basis, the Ministry of Finance and relevant agencies, based on the balance of the state budget, will arrange funds for procurement, reserves, and organize appropriate and effective forces to serve the work of disease prevention and control, and report to the Government and the Prime Minister for consideration and decision in the third quarter of 2021. Based on the actual requirements of disease prevention and control in the locality, the Provincial People's Committees will develop low, medium and high-level scenarios and corresponding response plans to ensure medical work in the locality according to their authority; in cases beyond their authority, they will report to the Government and the Prime Minister;

- Provincial People's Committees shall, based on their local scenarios and plans, approve and proactively implement the establishment and construction of Covid-19 collection and treatment facilities; purchase medical equipment and supplies; reserve, arrange resources and organize forces to promptly and effectively serve the work of disease prevention and control in the locality;

- The Ministry of Health, ministries, branches and localities mobilize the public and private health systems and social resources to promptly coordinate in implementing prevention, treatment, vaccination, investment in facilities and disease prevention and control measures, ensuring strictness, effectiveness and compliance with regulations.

Tight control of social distancing measures

On ensuring security and order,The Government requests the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee to direct and organize forces, agencies and units to focus on performing well the tasks of ensuring national security and defense, social order and safety, preventing crimes and other violations of the law; and have plans to proactively respond to complicated developments in security and order in the area.

The Ministry of Public Security directed the police force to coordinate with functional agencies and localities to strengthen close monitoring of the area, strictly control the implementation of social distancing measures and epidemic prevention and control solutions, focus on promoting the role of grassroots police, strictly handle violations of the law; closely coordinate with the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs to strengthen management and ensure safety of drug rehabilitation facilities and social protection facilities.

The Ministry of National Defense directed military forces, especially the medical force, chemical corps, border guards, and militia to closely coordinate with localities in disease prevention and control; participate in the production and supply of equipment and materials and participate in relief for people in isolated and blockaded areas; focus on strictly managing borders, trails, openings, exits and entries; and maintain national independence and sovereignty.

Avoid disruption of labor and goods supply chains

On production, supply, circulation and transportation of goods,The Government requests ministries, branches and localities, according to their functions, tasks and powers, to focus on directing:

Maintain production activities, avoid disrupting the supply chains of labor, goods, services, supplies, and raw materials for production, but must ensure and create the highest conditions for requirements on COVID-19 prevention and control, and only facilities that ensure safety in disease prevention and control according to regulations are allowed to operate, in the spirit of safety for production, production must be safe.

Create the best conditions for the safe, interconnected, unified, and smooth transportation and circulation of goods, supplies, and raw materials for production between provinces, cities, and localities; have strict control measures at the starting and ending points in the supply, circulation, and transportation chain of goods. Proactively have solutions to support the production, supply, and circulation of goods such as medical equipment, supplies, drugs, chemicals, medical oxygen, vehicles, and services for the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic.

Ensure adequate and timely supply of food, necessities, and stabilize people's lives, especially ensuring direct supply to people in locked-down and socially distanced areas.

Mobilize the police, military, civil affairs, Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations, social organizations, unions, business communities, professional associations, hometown associations... and people nationwide to participate in the production, supply, circulation, and transportation of goods, especially food, foodstuffs, and necessities to serve the people.

No one in need of relief is left behind, no one is left hungry

On support policies and social security,The Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, ministries, branches and localities, based on their functions, tasks and authority, focus on directing:

- Effectively implement Resolution No. 68/NQ-CP dated July 1, 2021 of the Government and Decision No. 23/2021/QD-TTg dated July 7, 2021 of the Prime Minister on policies to support employees and employers facing difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic; regularly review and update, not omit any beneficiaries, do not let anyone go hungry, closely follow the situation and actual requirements to continue to expand or appropriately adjust the beneficiaries when facing difficulties and minimize administrative procedures when performing this task;

- Take care of people's lives, especially those with meritorious services, policy families, poor households, women, children, the elderly, the disabled, the vulnerable, people in difficult circumstances, people who lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the frontline forces against the pandemic, ensuring timeliness, substance and effectiveness.

The Ministry of Health shall preside over and coordinate with the Ministry of Finance and relevant agencies to urgently review and propose appropriate support policies and ensure protective equipment for frontline forces in the fight against the epidemic, including doctors, nurses, technicians, medical staff; military officers and soldiers, police, grassroots cadres and volunteers.

Localities promote the establishment and organization of support and relief centers, teams and groups with appropriate organizational forms and methods of operation, promptly meeting the needs of people and requirements for prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic in the area; establish and maintain 24/7 hotlines to promptly receive information about people's need for support on medical care and essential living; have a medical surveillance system in the community to promptly support people; ensure protective equipment for volunteer teams of support and relief centers...

Strictly handle bad and toxic information on the internet

On information, communication and application of information technology,The Government assigned the Ministry of Health, Departments of Health, and standing agencies of the Steering Committees for Covid-19 Prevention and Control at all levels to be the focal points for providing timely official information on the epidemic and solutions to prevent and control the epidemic to people and businesses; organizing a team of experts and volunteers to promptly guide and support people in disease prevention and control and health care, especially for F0 and F1 subjects.

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee directs the organization to unify a single communication focal point, strengthen the grassroots information system, regularly provide propaganda, dissemination, mobilization, guidance, and appeal to people in the work of preventing and fighting the Covid-19 epidemic; correct, refute, and fight against bad, fabricated, fake, and distorted information about the epidemic prevention and control work of all levels, sectors, and localities.

At the same time, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee directs the effective implementation of shared technology platforms announced by the Ministries of Information and Communications, Health, Public Security, National Defense and competent authorities; proactively deploys other technology applications suitable for shared technology platforms, promptly responding to the requirements of Covid-19 epidemic prevention and control in the locality; organizes and assigns focal points to coordinate, connect, and share information and data promptly and effectively with the Ministries of Information and Communications, Health, Public Security, National Defense, the Government Office and other competent authorities.

The Ministry of Information and Communications and ministries, branches and localities, within the scope of assigned functions and tasks, are responsible for:

- Directing businesses to ensure network safety and security are on duty 24/7, ensuring smooth operation, network safety and security, especially information systems and technology platforms serving the work of preventing and fighting the Covid-19 epidemic;

- Direct functional forces and telecommunications enterprises to coordinate with other forces to be on duty 24/7, ready with technical solutions, measures and necessary tools to prevent and strictly handle bad and toxic information on cyberspace;

- Closely coordinate with the Ministry of Health, the Central Propaganda Department and ministries, branches and localities to unify focal points, proactively provide and process information promptly and accurately; direct press agencies to strengthen forms of communication, propaganda, inspiration, set examples of good people, good deeds, good practices, effective models, and at the same time fight against distorted, provocative and untrue arguments about Covid-19 epidemic prevention and control.

Prioritize budget and legal resources to ensure funding for epidemic prevention and control.

The Government requests the Ministry of Finance, ministries, branches and localities to prioritize the arrangement and allocation of the state budget and other legal resources to ensure funding for Covid-19 epidemic prevention and control and Covid-19 patient treatment facilities; assign the Ministry of Health to synthesize and report to the Prime Minister on the mechanism to support regular expenditures for public health facilities that do not have enough revenue to cover expenses due to the impact of the epidemic. Implement a minimum 50% reduction in the remaining domestic and international conference and work expenses of ministries, central agencies and localities (except for important and urgent operating expenses and epidemic prevention and control expenses of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Public Security, diplomatic expenses of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and save an additional 10% of the remaining regular expenditures of 2021, excluding salaries and other incomes; Recovering regular expenditures that are not really necessary and slow to be implemented to supplement the central and local budget reserves, focusing on funding for Covid-19 epidemic prevention and control;

Regarding the adjustment and reduction of funding for spending tasks that are not really necessary to focus on funding for disease prevention and control and the transfer of unused disease prevention and control funding to the following year: Ministries, central and local agencies shall proactively implement within their authority; in cases exceeding their authority, they shall propose to the Ministry of Finance to synthesize and submit to competent authorities according to regulations.

Based on the requirements of Covid-19 epidemic prevention and control, after reviewing, mobilizing and using local budgets and other legal resources but still facing difficulties, the Provincial People's Committee requests the central budget to support implementation. The Ministry of Finance shall preside over the review and appraisal, propose to the competent authority to decide on the level of support and temporary allocation from the central budget to support localities.

The Ministry of Health shall preside over and review the funding needs for purchasing, importing and using vaccines, send them to the Ministry of Finance for synthesis, and submit them to the Prime Minister for decision on the use of state budget sources and the Covid-19 Vaccine Fund.

The Ministry of Health determines the quantity of vaccines, equipment, medical supplies, drugs, chemicals, and means for Covid-19 prevention and control purchased at the Central level, allocated and actually provided to localities, and related costs, and sends them to the Ministry of Finance for synthesis, monitoring, and determination of the amount of local budget funds to be spent according to the provisions of Clause 1, Article 3 of Resolution No. 21/NQ-CP dated February 26, 2021 and Clause 3, Article 2 of Resolution No. 79/NQ-CP dated July 22, 2021. The Ministry of Finance publicly and transparently discloses the use of the Covid-19 Vaccine Fund on mass media.

Based on the assigned budget estimates and other legal funding sources, ministries, branches, localities, agencies and units are proactive in deciding on the use and procurement according to scenarios and response plans approved by competent authorities; are allowed to purchase in quantities higher than actual needs to prepare for complicated and emerging epidemics, minimizing waste of resources.

Based on the assigned functions and tasks, the Ministry of Health shall preside over and coordinate with relevant ministries and branches to propose the issuance of national reserve goods to promptly serve the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic, and send it to the Ministry of Finance for synthesis and reporting to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision.

For issues regulated by law under the authority of the National Assembly and the National Assembly Standing Committee related to funding for Covid-19 pandemic prevention and control, ministries, branches, central and local agencies shall propose the Ministry of Finance to synthesize and submit to the Government a report to the National Assembly Standing Committee for consideration and decision before implementation according to the provisions of Point 3.2 of Resolution No. 30/2021/QH15 of the National Assembly.

Consider and decide to establish a command center to centrally direct the implementation of epidemic prevention and control tasks.

About organization and human resources,The Ministry of Health urgently submits to the Prime Minister to complete the National Steering Committee, improve the operational efficiency of the sub-committees under the Steering Committee to ensure streamlining, effectiveness and efficiency. Relevant ministries, branches and agencies shall send people to participate and ensure that the people sent focus on participating in the work of the National Steering Committee.

Localities urgently improve and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the Steering Committees for epidemic prevention and control at all levels in the area to suit the situation and requirements for epidemic prevention and control; have a permanent unit to direct and coordinate 24/7, organize into specialized groups to promptly resolve problems and requirements for materials, equipment, human resources, communications, transportation, relief, support, etc.

Based on the actual situation and requirements, ministries, branches and localities consider and decide on the establishment of command centers to centrally direct and unify relevant agencies to carry out tasks and solutions to prevent and control the COVID-19 epidemic according to assigned functions and tasks.

Chairmen of People's Committees at all levels direct and mobilize medical facilities, agencies, units, enterprises, organizations and individuals in the area to actively participate in COVID-19 prevention and control activities, but must ensure safety conditions for disease prevention and control appropriate to the situation and developments of the epidemic.

Promoting "vaccine diplomacy" activities

About tstrengthening international cooperation,The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strengthens international cooperation, continues to implement and promote "vaccine diplomacy" activities; mobilizes and encourages partners to provide vaccines on time or earlier than committed; strengthens research cooperation and technology transfer in the production of vaccines and drugs to treat Covid-19; supports medical equipment, supplies and biological products; takes the lead in proposing exit and entry policies suitable to the new situation; researches and advises on the recognition and permission of "foreign vaccine passports" to be used in Vietnam; does a good job of citizen protection; increases foreign information on Vietnam's efforts and results in preventing and fighting the Covid-19 epidemic, and on Vietnam's proactive and active international cooperation in preventing and fighting the epidemic.

Special mechanisms and policies

The Government also decided on specific mechanisms and policies. Specifically, the issuance of circulation registration certificates and customs clearance of Covid-19 drugs and vaccines will apply the following mechanisms:

a) When submitting an application for drug and vaccine circulation registration, in case there is no pharmaceutical product certificate for imported drugs and vaccines, it can be replaced by legal documents issued by a competent authority of a foreign country proving that the drug or vaccine has been licensed for circulation.

b) For treatment drugs,Covid-19 vaccine produced in Vietnam:

- Domestically produced Covid-19 treatment drugs and vaccines that are undergoing clinical trials but have had mid-term assessment results of phase 3 on the safety and treatment efficacy of the drug or the protective efficacy of the vaccine based on data on the immunogenicity of the vaccine are used to consider granting a conditional circulation registration certificate based on the advisory opinion of the National Biomedical Research Ethics Council for drugs and vaccines undergoing clinical trials in Vietnam and the advisory opinion of the Advisory Council for granting circulation registration certificates for drugs and pharmaceutical ingredients for each specific drug and vaccine, with reference to the guidance or recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO).

- Drugs and vaccines issued in the above cases must continue to be monitored for safety, effectiveness, and control of subjects, quantity, and scope of use after being granted a circulation registration certificate.

c) The Ministry of Health shall consider and decide on each specific case regarding the exemption of the Certificate of Analysis (COA) for each batch of drugs and vaccines during customs clearance in case of urgent import to serve the requirements of preventing and fighting the Covid-19 epidemic.

In addition to the provisions at points a, b, and c above, other contents related to the registration of circulation and customs clearance of Covid-19 drugs and vaccines must comply with the provisions of law.

d) Importing raw materials to produce drugs and vaccines to prevent Covid-19 that meet the requirements for disease prevention and control according to Article 85 of Decree No. 54/2017/ND-CP dated May 8, 2017 of the Government detailing a number of articles and measures to implement the Law on Pharmacy is exempted from the Ministry of Health's approval of the drug list.

Some other specific mechanisms and policies that were resolved are: The Ministries of Health, National Defense, Public Security and Provincial People's Committees, based on the practical situation, decide to establish and assign tasks to facilities for receiving and treating people infected with Covid-19. The decision to establish and assign tasks to facilities for receiving and treating people infected with Covid-19 is also an operating license.

The Ministry of Health is prescribed administrative procedures in the circular according to the order and simplified procedures for the pilot application of techniques and drugs in the diagnosis and treatment of Covid-19 and the granting of import licenses and circulation registration certificates for medical equipment and chemicals serving the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic.

Special mechanism in purchasing drugs, chemicals, and equipment for epidemic prevention and control

The Resolution clearly states, regarding the mechanism and form of procurement:

a) Ministries and branches decide on the form of selecting contractors to purchase drugs, chemicals, supplies, equipment, and means to serve the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic according to the provisions of Clause 1 and Clause 2, Article 1 of Resolution No. 79/NQ-CP dated July 22, 2021 of the Government.

b) Localities decide on the form of selecting contractors to purchase drugs, chemicals, supplies, equipment, and means to serve the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic according to the provisions of Clause 1, Article 1 of Resolution No. 79/NQ-CP dated July 22, 2021 of the Government.

In case of selecting a contractor in special cases as prescribed in Article 26 of the Law on Bidding, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee shall organize the preparation, appraisal and decision to approve the contractor selection plan.

c) When developing the bidding package price for the procurement of chemicals, equipment, materials, means, and services for the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic, it is necessary to base on at least one (01) of the following documents:

- Quote goods and services to be purchased from at least three (03) different suppliers;

- Purchase budget approved by competent authority (including: types of assets, goods, services, quantity, unit price or entire budget arranged to purchase a type of asset, goods, service in the year);

- Valuation results of competent state agencies conducting asset valuation, valuation enterprises for types of assets, goods and services that must be appraised according to the provisions of the Law on Prices;

- Market price at the time of purchase is referenced from official information published by suppliers in accordance with Vietnamese law and exploited via the Internet;

- Winning bid price for purchasing similar assets, goods and services within the previous six (06) months.

As for the price of medical equipment procurement packages, it is based on at least one of the above documents or the winning bid price within the previous six (06) months posted on the Electronic Information Portal of the competent authority approving the contractor selection plan or the Electronic Information Portal of the Ministry of Health or the National Bidding Network System (muasamcong.mpi.gov.vn).

d) In case the prices of chemicals, materials, equipment, means and services for Covid-19 prevention and control cannot be determined due to the complicated developments of the epidemic, ministries, branches and localities shall base on the prices announced by enterprises at the request of the Ministry of Health on the Ministry of Health's electronic information portal and updated weekly to determine the bidding package price.

In case no enterprise publishes price,To reduce the workload for the Ministry of Health to focus on epidemic prevention and control, the Government agreed to assignThe Ministry of Finance presides over and coordinates with the Ministries of Health, Planning and Investment, Industry and Trade, Science and Technology, Information and Communications, Public Security, and Justice to establish a Working Group to negotiate and agree on prices with enterprises for the Ministry of Health to publish on the Ministry of Health's electronic information portal; on that basis, ministries, branches, localities, and units determine the bidding package price.

d) In the process of developing the bid package price, ministries, branches, localities, agencies and units are allowed to choose one of the provisions in Point c or Point d of this Clause, and submit it to the competent person or authorized person for consideration and decision on the bid package price according to regulations.

e) Based on the Covid-19 epidemic situation and response scenarios, the Ministry of Health promptly announces and updates the list of essential supplies, equipment, chemicals, and medicines for disease prevention and control so that localities and units can make purchases according to the "4 on-site" motto.

g) The Ministry of Health urgently organizes the purchase of a number of essential medical equipment and supplies to equip a number of affiliated medical facilities, intensive care centers established by the Ministry of Health and reserves to be ready to support localities in cases where the local response capacity is exceeded.

h) The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall preside over and coordinate with relevant agencies to promptly and effectively guide and handle difficulties in implementing the provisions of the law on bidding for procurement of services for Covid-19 epidemic prevention and control.

i) Assets serving the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic during the epidemic period according to the Prime Minister's Decision on epidemic declaration are subject to the following regulations:

- Standards and usage norms do not apply to cases of receiving aid, sponsorship and support from organizations and individuals;

- Assets can be purchased in quantities higher than the standards and norms, but must be consistent with the epidemic response plan and scenario, and waste must be minimized and no negativity must occur;

- After the epidemic is declared over, it will be handled according to the provisions of law on management and use of public assets.

The cost of medical examination and treatment for Covid-19 patients at admission and treatment facilities is guaranteed by the State budget according to actual costs.

Also according to the Government's Resolution, payment for medical examination and treatment costs for Covid-19 patients at Covid-19 admission and treatment facilities is guaranteed by the state budget according to actual costs;The cost of treating other diseases during the Covid-19 treatment process is implemented according to the provisions of the law on health insurance, medical examination and treatment.

Regarding the organization and payment of medical examination and treatment costs under health insurance: The Minister of Health is authorized to issue a document guiding the organization of medical examination and treatment and payment of medical examination and treatment costs under health insurance to meet the medical examination and treatment needs of health insurance participants in the context of Covid-19 epidemic prevention and control.

The Ministry of Health issues procedures and economic and technical norms for Covid-19 tests; on that basis, the Provincial People's Committee decides on the ordering price and assigns tasks to agencies, organizations and units to implement in accordance with regulations.

Ministries, branches and localities focus on drastically and effectively implementing the assigned tasks and solutions to soonrepel the COVID-19 epidemic

The Government requests the National Steering Committee, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, Government agencies, and provincial People's Committees, according to their assigned functions, authorities, and tasks, to be responsible for organizing and implementing seriously and effectively the tasks and solutions prescribed in this Resolution.

Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, and provincial People's Committees shall direct and urge the implementation of this Resolution, enhance the responsibility of leaders; ensure the prevention, containment, and strict prohibition of corruption and negativity, and minimize waste in epidemic prevention and control; promptly encourage and reward those who dare to think, dare to do, dare to take responsibility, proactively innovate, be creative, and be flexible in implementing effective epidemic prevention and control measures, and individuals and groups with achievements in epidemic prevention and control; propagate, guide, and mobilize people to comply with regulations, and strictly handle cases of non-compliance.

The People's Committees at the provincial level, within their management scope and according to their assigned functions and tasks, shall organize the implementation of this Resolution in the locality; decide on urgent measures and solutions to prevent and control epidemics in accordance with the practical situation of the locality; if necessary, consult the Party Committee, propose to the Standing Committee of the People's Council to decide on matters under the authority of the People's Council and report to the People's Council at the nearest session.

In case of problems or exceeding authority, ministries, branches and localities shall promptly report to the Government, Prime Minister, National Steering Committee and competent authorities.

In case it is necessary to issue regulations on disease prevention and control that are different from the provisions of current laws and beyond the scope of provisions in Section 3.1 and Section 3.2 of Resolution No. 30/2021/QH15 of the National Assembly, during the time the National Assembly is not in session, ministries, central agencies and localities shall propose to send to the Ministry of Health for synthesis and submission to the Government to report to the National Assembly Standing Committee for consideration and decision according to the shortened order and procedures before implementing according to the provisions in Point 3.3 of Resolution No. 30/2021/QH15 of the National Assembly.

For issues under the authority of the National Assembly and the National Assembly Standing Committee on ensuring social security and supporting employees and employers, based on the actual situation and requirements, ministries, branches and localities shall propose to send to the Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs for synthesis and submission to the Government for reporting to the National Assembly Standing Committee for consideration and decision before implementation according to the provisions at Point 3.4 of Resolution No. 30/2021/QH15 of the National Assembly.

Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, and provincial People's Committees, within the scope of their assigned tasks and powers, are responsible for reviewing and evaluating the implementation of this Resolution and regulations related to disease prevention and control.

The Covid-19 epidemic is evolving rapidly, complicatedly, and unpredictably, and the work of preventing and fighting the epidemic is unprecedented. During the implementation process, ministries, branches, and localities need to closely follow reality, promptly handle arising problems within their authority, propose amendments, supplements, or promulgate new regulations, and send them to the Ministry of Health for synthesis and reporting to the Government and the Prime Minister.

The Government respectfully requests the Vietnam Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations, social organizations, unions, business communities and people nationwide to continue joining hands, contributing, actively coordinating with all levels, sectors and localities to overcome difficulties and challenges, focusing on resolutely and effectively implementing the proposed tasks and solutions to soon control the situation, repel the Covid-19 epidemic, protect the lives and health of the people, and facilitate socio-economic recovery and development.

This Resolution takes effect from July 28, 2021 to December 31, 2022.