Fighting the coronavirus pneumonia epidemic: The entire political system must get involved

Opinions at the meeting all emphasized that “to prevent better, stronger measures are needed”. Patients infected with the nCoV virus have different symptoms than before, and can still be contagious before they develop the disease.

Some people say we should be prepared for the worst but not panic. The health sector must be fully prepared with equipment and medicine.

Concluding the meeting, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc emphasized that this is a dangerous disease, with no vaccine yet, spreading rapidly while our country is deeply integrated into the international community. Many tourists, including Chinese tourists, come to Vietnam, and we have a long border with China, where the epidemic broke out. Currently, the number of Chinese tourists in Vietnam is still large, so there is a risk of the epidemic spreading in Vietnam.

The Prime Minister requested to "fight the epidemic like fighting the enemy". Ministries, branches and localities must not be subjective, must ensure the lives and health of the people, prevent the epidemic from spreading, and minimize deaths. The political system must get involved, especially the functional branches and 63 provinces and cities across the country.

Ministers and Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and cities must proactively control and propose measures based on the advice of the health sector to isolate areas. Carry out a number of necessary measures to effectively prevent the nCoV epidemic from spreading through tourists, by air, water and road.

The health sector builds more detailed prevention and control scenarios for each specific situation. Researches and updates treatment regimens for assigned medical facilities.

The Ministry of Health presides over and coordinates with the Government Office to develop and submit to the Prime Minister for promulgation a directive on the prevention and control of the nCoV epidemic in the spirit of the entire political system participating, having a strict working regime, regular inspections, taking preventive measures, preparing finances, and ensuring a stock of medicines and equipment for epidemic prevention and control.

The Prime Minister directed the establishment of a national steering agency on nCoV prevention and control headed by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam.

The Prime Minister also emphasized regular information, especially proactive preventive measures, to avoid causing panic and uncertainty among people, and recommended that people avoid crowded places.

The Government accepts some economic losses to protect people's lives and health, the Prime Minister stated. All international and main border gates have body temperature measuring machines for one-step control. The Ministry of Health publicizes treatment facilities for people to know. Travel companies and airlines do not pick up or drop off passengers from epidemic areas.

Travel on trails and openings is prohibited. Travel at international and main border gates must be subject to body temperature control and other measures such as mandatory health declaration. Provide masks for border guards, security, and customs officers at border gates.It is strictly forbidden to import and transport wild animals into Vietnam and all regions of the country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs coordinate to survey and understand the number of Vietnamese people in China to have a plan when necessary.

The Prime Minister also emphasized the role of agencies, Party committees and local authorities in implementing measures to protect people's lives and health in preventing and fighting the nCoV epidemic.