Prime Minister: Temporarily suspend all meetings and gatherings of more than 20 people

The Prime Minister speaks at the meeting. Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu

The Prime Minister commended the health sector, all levels, sectors, and the Steering Committee for their drastic and strict implementation with high determination of the policies and measures set forth by the Government and the Prime Minister in recent days.

Considering that Covid-19 infections are increasing, there are infections in the community, and there are cases of infection in the community that have not been detected, the Prime Minister stated that the entire political system and authorities at all levels need to accelerate the drastic implementation of epidemic prevention measures. The Prime Minister emphasized the spirit: Early detection, timely isolation, containment of the epidemic and treatment of the disease, and protection of people's health are the current ultimate goals.

The Prime Minister cited an opinion recommending that we should look at the US epidemic situation to learn from experience for Vietnam, that is, in early March, both Vietnam and the US had 100 cases of infection, but after 3 weeks, the US had up to 55,000 infected people (specifically, on March 11 there were 994 people, on March 18 there were 6,411 people and yesterday there were 54,808 in 50 states) and declared a state of disaster, closing the state of California (March 22) when it was too late, it should have been closed on March 12 when the number of cases was below 1,000, how should Vietnam study this issue.

The Prime Minister raised the issue of whether all activities and people's travel should be temporarily closed when the number of infections is still low, not 1,000.

According to forecasts, we have 2 weeks to act and the virus will spread faster than our actions if we do not promptly and drastically implement prevention and control. The Prime Minister requested that for at least the next 2 weeks, heads of government at all levels temporarily suspend all meetings and events gathering more than 20 people (in the same place). Completely stop religious ceremonies, and local authorities will be strictly punished if gatherings of more than 20 people (in the same place) occur. Close unnecessary services such as massage parlors, dance clubs, tourist and sightseeing establishments, entertainment venues, cinemas, beer pubs, restaurants, etc. On this occasion, the Prime Minister also reminded the People's Committee of Tay Ho district that on the first day of the third lunar month (March 24), too many people went to temples in this area.

For Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Can Tho, and Da Nang, it is necessary to close all service establishments except those providing food, pharmaceuticals, and medical examination and treatment facilities, "so that we can ensure the necessary needs of the people, and temporarily close unnecessary services at this time."

Very few public transport trips have been suspended or rescheduled. The Ministry of Transport has directed that flights from two major cities to other cities be limited. People are asked to stay at home unless absolutely necessary.

For people from cities and areas with epidemics, localities are responsible for management as if they were coming from epidemic areas.

The implementation period of these measures is from 0:00 on March 28, 2020 for 1 week or several weeks and will be considered specifically later.

Prohibit gatherings of more than 10 people outside offices, schools and hospitals.

For medical examination and treatment facilities, testing of medical staff in areas at risk of infection is carried out. The Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Health to provide specific instructions on how to prevent hospitals from becoming crowded places where people are susceptible to infection.

Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu

Temporarily close beauty salons, cosmetic surgery, and physical therapy facilities nationwide. The health sector has measures to quarantine doctors and medical staff working at facilities caring for and treating Covid-19 patients. Local authorities, sectors, especially the health sector, are responsible for supporting this quarantine so that doctors can work with peace of mind. "The spirit is to have a plan to better care for doctors and medical staff, especially at hospitals directly treating Covid-19 patients," said the Prime Minister, preserving the medical team to have the strength to fight long-term during the epidemic season.

Strictly manage land, air and water borders. Strictly implement centralized quarantine, no visitors allowed, no food or drink brought to quarantine areas, and supervise specialized quarantine.

The Ministry of National Defense and the Commanders of the military regions have directed the expansion of quarantine facilities in the Central region and the southwestern border area. The relevant agencies will strictly handle, including criminally, those who violate the regulations, do not declare their health status, and do not quarantine according to regulations.

All levels and sectors continue to change working habits to adapt to the epidemic situation. All provinces and cities need to focus on investing in machinery and equipment for testing and conducting large-scale testing. For Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, it is necessary to increase testing facilities, increase capacity, and ensure screening of all suspected cases.

The Prime Minister requested the health sector to immediately purchase medical equipment. The health sector and the industry and trade sector cooperate and have specific contracts to produce medical masks as well as other standard masks to fully serve the domestic market and promote international cooperation for medical supplies that other countries are in need of.

Speculation and hoarding of necessities and medical supplies are strictly prohibited. Any speculation and smuggling of medical supplies, if any, must be strictly punished. Any cases of spreading false information must be strictly punished.

Relevant levels, sectors and localities ensure social security and social safety everywhere, at all times, including the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Health discussing the construction of a number of field hospitals when deemed necessary.

All levels, sectors, socio-political organizations, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front are responsible for propagating, mobilizing, and asking people to raise their civic awareness and responsibility to the community, continue to unite, and be determined to successfully prevent the Covid-19 epidemic in the coming weeks.

“To ensure safety, especially at present and in the future, people should travel less and change their working methods, from in-person to online and other suitable forms to avoid infection,” said the Prime Minister.