The risk of Covid-19 epidemic invading is likely to increase: Absolutely do not be subjective

These are the contents presented at the meeting on the afternoon of May 21 of the National Steering Committee for the prevention and control of acute respiratory infections caused by the new strain of Corona virus (Covid-19). Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, Head of the Steering Committee chaired the meeting.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam: The fight is still very long and Vietnam is still accompanying the international community in the work of preventing and fighting the epidemic. Photo: VGP/Dinh Nam

At the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam emphasized that although in recent days, many international organizations have congratulated Vietnam on its victory over the Covid-19 epidemic, we have not yet won, but have only controlled the epidemic well.

This fight is still very long and Vietnam is still accompanying the international community in the work of preventing and fighting the epidemic. This stage is even more difficult, because after a long period of time without cases appearing in the community, people have a relaxed mentality. Therefore, we absolutely must not have a relaxed mentality.

The potential risk of disease still exists, we must not have the mentality of "considering the epidemic is over"

At the meeting, members of the Steering Committee and medical experts discussed and analyzed the epidemic situation in the country and around the world, and reassessed the potential risks and dangers to the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic.

Health experts say that the good news is that after more than a month, Vietnam has not recorded any new infections in the community. We have suppressed the outbreaks. However, the potential risk of the disease still exists. People have the mentality of "treating the epidemic as over", and even the Steering Committee for Epidemic Prevention and Control in some localities has shown a subjective mentality.

Meanwhile, the epidemic situation in many countries in the region and around the world is still very complicated and unpredictable. The risk of the epidemic entering Vietnam is real. In fact, in recent days, Vietnam has recorded many cases from abroad. In the coming time, the risk of the epidemic entering the country is likely to increase, as we organize to bring citizens from epidemic areas back to the country; experts, high-tech workers from abroad come to Vietnam to work on projects...

Therefore, the entire epidemic prevention and control system must not lose vigilance, be subjective, negligent, and must not have the mentality of "considering the epidemic is over".

Continue to effectively implement the strategy to prevent disease from entering, "tighten the dike", and strictly manage immigrants.

Based on the opinions of experts, the Steering Committee agreed to continue to effectively implement the strategy of preventing disease intrusion, "tightening the dike", strictly managing immigrants, border lines, border gates, especially trails and openings, because dikes often do not break at large border gates, but at "leaking points" and "termite nests".

Faced with the huge demand for entry of foreign experts and technical workers working on Vietnamese projects as well as investors seeking business opportunities, the Steering Committee discussed and agreed to have detailed instructions following a closed process from considering granting entry visas to preparing quarantine facilities and conditions for health monitoring after quarantine for these subjects. The leaders of the public security sector take responsibility for this because they are the agency that has the final say on granting entry visas as well as the focal point for organizing quarantine facilities outside of the military's centralized quarantine areas.

Delegates attend the meeting of the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control on the afternoon of May 21 at the Government Office. Photo: Dinh Nam

Notably, experts have raised the risk of infection from flight crew members and flight attendants of airlines abroad, who are still living normally and do not have to be quarantined before taking flights to Vietnam.

The Steering Committee especially noted and requested the Ministry of Transport and localities to tighten regulations on quarantine of flight crews and flight crews of international passenger and cargo flights to Vietnam. These crews must stay in separate hotels and not in hotels with other guests to avoid the risk of infection.

In the new situation, the Steering Committee assigned the Ministry of Health to preside over and coordinate with relevant agencies to draft specific guidance documents on visa issuance and quarantine for: Foreigners entering Vietnam; Vietnamese citizens returning from epidemic areas; flight crews, air crews, sailors and drivers crossing the border.

These documents must specify the responsibilities of the local Steering Committee, the responsibilities of individual leaders, the responsibilities of each unit and each force to organize and implement unified and effective immigration management.