Prime Minister issues urgent dispatch to rectify Covid-19 prevention and control work

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reminded localities to improve Covid-19 prevention and control work at an urgent Government meeting on the afternoon of May 2.

Telegram sent to ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies; Secretaries, Chairmen of People's Committees, Chairmen of Fatherland Fronts of provinces and centrally-run cities, clearly stated:

In the recent past, the Secretariat, the Government, the Prime Minister, and the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control have always paid attention to and directed resolutely, the entire political system has actively and promptly taken action, and many appropriate measures to prevent and control Covid-19 have been deployed. Up to now, we have basically controlled the situation. However, the epidemic is becoming more and more complicated, with bad and unpredictable situations emerging. In fact, many places have been subjective, negligent, and have not strictly implemented epidemic prevention and control measures according to regulations, especially in supervising the implementation of the 5K regulations, especially the wearing of masks in public places and crowded places.

In the context that the whole country is actively preparing for the election of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2021-2026 term, in order to promptly correct shortcomings and strengthen epidemic prevention work, the Prime Minister requested Ministers, Secretaries, Chairmen of People's Committees, Chairmen of the Vietnam Fatherland Front of provinces and centrally-run cities, according to their assigned functions and tasks, to focus on directing the good implementation of the following contents:

1. Continue to strictly implement the directions of the Secretariat, the Government, the Prime Minister, the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, and the regulations and rules on epidemic prevention and control of the Ministry of Health. Any cases of negligence, subjectivity, loss of vigilance, lack of responsibility, and failure to strictly implement regulations and directions on epidemic prevention and control must be determined as collective and individual responsibilities for strict handling according to Party regulations and State laws.

2. On the basis of closely following the practical situation and experience in epidemic prevention and control of countries and localities in the past time; closely following the direction of the Secretariat, the Government, the Prime Minister, and the Head of the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control to review, supplement, and perfect current regulations on Covid-19 prevention and control in the spirit of maximum decentralization and delegation of power, along with strengthening inspection, supervision, and individualization of responsibilities for all levels, sectors, and localities to proactively, creatively, and flexibly prevent and control the epidemic most effectively, while being responsible for the results of epidemic prevention and control and socio-economic development in the current situation.

3. The Prime Minister acknowledged, commended, and requested competent authorities to promptly review and consider timely rewards according to regulations for the localities: Vinh Phuc, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Lam Dong... that have promptly responded quickly and proactively with effective measures in epidemic prevention and control in the area.

The Prime Minister criticized, reminded and requested:

- The provinces and cities of Da Nang, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, and Khanh Hoa must seriously learn from experience and promptly rectify the situation of non-compliance with the 5K regulations of the Ministry of Health and the National Steering Committee, especially wearing masks and keeping distance when in public places;

- The provinces of Vinh Long, Dong Thap, and Tien Giang learned from their slow implementation of the Ministry of Health's recommendations on ensuring material conditions, epidemic prevention equipment, and local testing capacity;

- Provinces and cities: Da Nang, Ha Nam, Yen Bai closely follow the Party's regulations, the State's laws, the direction of the Secretariat, the Government, the Prime Minister, the National Steering Committee, based on the consequences that have occurred to review, clarify the responsibility of the collective, individuals, handle according to regulations, including handling criminal responsibility, in the spirit of objectivity, fairness, and strictness.

The Ministry of Health shall inspect and supervise the implementation of the Prime Minister's direction on this content; strengthen the urging, inspection and supervision of the addition of facilities, equipment, machinery and conditions for epidemic prevention in localities.

4. Ministries, sectors, localities, especially leaders of Party committees and authorities at all levels, tighten discipline, especially in immigration management. The interdisciplinary working group consisting of 05 Ministries: Health, Foreign Affairs, National Defense, Public Security, Transport focuses on unifying the handling and strict control of immigration of Vietnamese people abroad, of foreign experts and high-tech workers.

5. Party secretaries, People's Committee Chairmen, Fatherland Front Chairmen and local organizations must strengthen leadership, direction, management, mobilization and rallying of the great national unity bloc to focus on effective epidemic prevention. Absolutely do not be negligent, subjective, or lose vigilance to pay a heavy price. Any subjectivity, negligence, or loss of vigilance will have to be paid for in terms of human life, public health, money, opportunities, socio-economic development, social order and safety, and trust and prestige with the people.

6. Party committees, authorities at all levels, and press agencies must strengthen propaganda work, not be subjective, negligent, or lose vigilance, but also not cause panic, fear, or loss of composure, especially causing instability and panic in society.

7. Further strengthen coordination between agencies in epidemic prevention work; always be alert, clear-headed, close to reality, positive, proactive, creative, flexible, timely, and effective in handling situations.

8. The functional forces on the front lines of the fight against the epidemic uphold the spirit of responsibility, sacrifice, and dedication for the honor, sacred and noble duty, for the benefit of the nation, people, public health, and the happiness of the people. The Government acknowledges, highly appreciates, and will have timely and appropriate forms of encouragement and rewards.

9. Regarding ensuring Covid-19 vaccination:

a) The Ministry of Health shall review all remaining vaccines, accelerate the vaccination of all remaining vaccines as quickly as possible, and announce it on mass media for people to know and monitor.

b) Closely follow the direction of the Politburo in Conclusion No. 50, Resolution No. 21 of the Government to review and consider accessing as many vaccine sources as possible to proactively expand access, increase competitiveness and new, modern testing biological products, focus on negotiating with partners, take advantage of relationships, organize purchases and control the supply, quality, price of vaccines and testing biological products in a public and transparent manner.

c) Effectively and promptly manage and use the allocated budgetary resources. At the same time, there must be mechanisms, policies and solutions for inspection and supervision so that businesses and people can actively and proactively participate in socialization on the basis of putting the common interests and national interests first and foremost. Absolutely do not allow negativity, corruption, waste, or group interests in the purchase and use of vaccines.

10. The Ministry of Health closely follows the conclusions of the Politburo and the Resolution of the Government on the import, production and injection of vaccines, updates the domestic and foreign situation to direct the development of a Report and a brief Submission to ask for opinions from Government members at the Government meeting in May 2021 for a number of major policies, including preparing for the situation of 30,000 Covid-19 infections so that the Ministry of Health has a basis to purchase reserve equipment; plans to promote research, production, import and organization of vaccination.

11. Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam - Head of the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, on behalf of the Prime Minister, shall comprehensively direct all work related to epidemic prevention and control; report to the Prime Minister when necessary. The Ministry of Health shall promote the responsibility of the state management agency for epidemic prevention and control, uphold the responsibility to properly perform the assigned functions, tasks and authorities, preside over the organization, guide, urge, supervise and inspect the implementation.