Vietnam PM orders closure of unnecessary services to curb Covid-19 spread

Stating that the next 10 to 15 days will be decisive for the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has ordered the closure of unnecessary services across the country to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the Government Portal reported.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Photo: VGP

These services include restaurant, massage shops and other entertainment facilities.

PM Phuc also asked religious believers to avoid assembling at the worshiping establishments.

Local governments and the Ministry of Public Security are requested go to house by house to ask for information about people coming from abroad since March 8 and find people who came into close contact with Covid-19 patients for test and isolation.

He ordered domestic flights and train coaches to be checked while public transport vehicles be kept disinfected.

Besides, the PM assigned the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control to buy medical equipment for the pandemic prevention, with transparency and timeliness ensured. The Ministry of Health has been asked to work out an estimated budget for this purpose.

The Ministry of Health should quickly make plans to buy and use rapid tests in quarantine areas and communities to screen people infected with Covid-19 and minimize the risk of infection.

Based on the current situation of immigration and isolation, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Defense decide the number of concentrated isolation establishments.

Phuc, however, requested strict punishment of those providing inaccurate medical declaration or disobeying isolation regulations.

The health sector is responsible training medical staff in localities on medical treatment regimens, the PM said.

He also expressed his strong belief that Vietnam would win the battle against Covid-19 pandemic.