Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc: Strictly handle those who do not implement social isolation

Currently, nearly 4 billion people in 90 countries, nearly 50% of the world's population, are being asked to stay at home to prevent Covid-19. Many countries have taken strong, drastic measures, even criminally punishing those who go out in violation of regulations. It can be seen that Vietnam is not the only country implementing social isolation, but it is the country that did it early.

We have done well and achieved encouraging results. However, according to the Prime Minister, the risk of infection is still high, we cannot be subjective, negligent, or lose our vigilance. The Prime Minister requires all citizens to strictly implement social distancing, wear masks in public places, strictly implement Directive 16, and those who do not comply will be severely punished, and individuals and groups that violate will be criticized. We cannot be negligent, subjective, or lose our vigilance against the Covid-19 epidemic as some countries have encountered. "The results from the daily news are encouraging, but the worries are still there."

The Prime Minister stated that we have been steadfast in the principle from the beginning of preventing, detecting, isolating, localizing, suppressing the epidemic and treating it effectively. At each time, we can change tactics and respond according to the stage, but we are steadfast in the strategy in the spirit of "remaining constant, responding to all changes".

The key to a prevention strategy is to apply it at the right time, gradually increasing the level, so achieving initial success is important.

Regarding preventing external sources of infection, the Prime Minister requested to strictly implement the spirit of Directive 16, continue to tighten the border, and limit people from abroad entering Vietnam except for some cases mentioned in previous documents. Continue to strictly control flights, suspend international flights except for cargo flights and citizen protection work with the Prime Minister's permission. Minimize domestic flights. Continue to advise citizens in other countries not to return home before April 15, except for some special cases. For all people entering Vietnam, quarantine each specific subject.

The Ministry of Health opens health protection consultation channels for people living and working abroad through the online medical examination and treatment system.

Emphasizing the continued implementation of Directive 16, the Prime Minister stated that localities need to rectify and strictly implement social distancing measures with strong measures but not "too leftist" in implementation, not "too rightist" leading to surrender, in which ensuring the circulation of goods, but strictly controlling people. Functional forces and border provinces continue to promote customs clearance of goods, creating favorable conditions for goods to cross the border.

The Prime Minister requested that functional forces, especially the police, strictly handle those who do not practice social isolation, do not wear masks, and go out without necessary work...

The Prime Minister assigned the National Steering Committee and the Ministry of Health to make accurate assessments of the situation to report to the Government and the Prime Minister to consider and decide whether or not to continue implementing Directive 16 after the deadline of April 15 at the next meeting.

Early detection, containment, and containment of the epidemic are urgent requirements. It is necessary to enhance testing capacity and ensure that provinces and cities conduct testing according to the “4 on-site” principle. It is necessary to change the testing strategy accordingly. We must not be subjective in our judgments, we need to act immediately and decisively to contain and contain the epidemic.

From the case of Bach Mai Hospital and some other hospitals, it is necessary to focus on preventing Covid-19 infection for medical staff. The Ministry of Health needs to have detailed instructions on quarantine for medical staff if it occurs on a larger scale to ensure that there are enough medical staff to work.

Focusing on developing medical equipment, the Prime Minister said that this is both an opportunity and a challenge for the medical equipment and instrument manufacturing industries.

Being able to produce diagnostic biological products ourselves has helped us be proactive in testing and treatment, and is an opportunity when we export these biological products.

Requesting to promote public and transparent information about epidemic prevention measures to reassure people, the Prime Minister stated that it is necessary to propagate properly, not too optimistically, nor sensationally causing people to panic. The media needs to focus on 3 subjects: Doctors, medical staff directly fighting the epidemic; direct service teams such as police, military, including border guards; and kind hearts./.