The Prime Minister requested to control people entering the country from places where new Covid-19 variants have appeared.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has just signed and issued Official Dispatch No. 05 on strengthening epidemic prevention and control during the Lunar New Year and the 2023 festival season to Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Government agencies; Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and centrally run cities.

Further promote Covid-19 vaccination

The dispatch stated that the epidemic's developments are still unpredictable and unstable; variants and sub-variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus are constantly changing, of which the XBB variant with the ability to avoid immunity and spread faster than other variants of Omicron has appeared in 70 countries and recently the XBB.1.5 sub-variant has caused new outbreaks in many countries around the world.

In addition, although the vaccination rate is high, immunity due to vaccination will gradually decrease over time; the transition from winter to spring, along with the relaxation of epidemic prevention and control policies of some countries, will lead to the risk of increasing the number of Covid-19 cases in the coming time, especially in trade, tourism and festival activities during the Lunar New Year and Spring 2023.

Disease prevention and control measures are strictly implemented according to regulations at Huu Nghi International Border Gate.

Therefore, the Prime Minister requested ministries, branches and localities to thoroughly grasp and strictly implement the Directive of the Secretariat and the Prime Minister on strengthening measures to ensure a joyful, healthy, safe and economical Lunar New Year 2023; at the same time, continue to effectively implement the program to prevent and control the Covid-19 epidemic.

The Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Health to regularly monitor and closely follow the domestic and international epidemic situation; promptly provide guidance when necessary and closely coordinate with ministries, branches and localities to direct, inspect and supervise the organization and implementation of epidemic prevention and control work to ensure proactive, ready and timely response to possible developments of the epidemic...

The Ministry of Health coordinates with the People's Committees of provinces and cities to direct the implementation of epidemic prevention and control measures, especially against Covid-19 and infectious diseases that often occur in the winter-spring season; proactively monitor, detect early, and promptly handle outbreaks, preventing the spread and outbreak in the community and limiting the occurrence of serious illness and death, and further promoting Covid-19 vaccination.

The Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to preside over and coordinate with the Ministry of Health and People's Committees of provinces and cities to direct and guide tourism service businesses to deploy measures to ensure safety for tourists and people; strengthen inspection and supervision of the organization of activities and events during the Lunar New Year and the festival season in early 2023.

The Prime Minister assigned the Ministries of Public Security, National Defense, Transport, Industry and Trade, Foreign Affairs and relevant ministries and branches to coordinate with localities to continue effectively implementing solutions to ensure security, social order and safety and the circulation of goods during the Lunar New Year and the first festivals of the year so that people can celebrate a safe, happy and healthy New Year...

Proactive, ready and timely response to disease developments

The head of the Government also made a series of requests to provinces and cities to be proactive, ready and promptly respond to possible developments of the epidemic.

Localities should strengthen direction and control of the epidemic at border gates, especially for cases entering from outbreak areas, from places where new, dangerous variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have appeared; strengthen surveillance in the community, at medical examination and treatment facilities and monitor for early detection of variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Along with that, it is necessary to continue promoting Covid-19 vaccination; continue to ensure patient admission and treatment; ensure adequate medicine, supplies, and equipment for epidemic prevention and control; and prepare facilities in case of new epidemic situations.

The Prime Minister noted that communication on Covid-19 prevention and control measures at border gates and in the community should be strengthened to raise people's awareness of protecting their health in the new situation.