Hanoi (VNA) - Twelve localities deemed to have high risk of COVID-19 spread, includingHanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, will continue to implement social distancing measures under Directive16 of the Prime Minister to April 22 or 30, or even longer, if infectionscontinue to be detected.
Thedecision was made at a meeting on April 15 of standing Government members, theNational Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, ministries,sectors and localities under the chair of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
BesidesHanoi and HCM City, the other 10 localities with high risk are Lao Cai, QuangNinh, Bac Ninh, Ninh Binh, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Binh Thuan, Khanh Hoa, Tay Ninhand Ha Tinh.
Theclassification of localities nationwide into three groups – that of high risk, riskand low risk was proposed by the steering committee and endorsed by PM Phuc.
The groupwith risk, comprising 15 localities, needs to put in place roadmaps for theimplementation of Directive 16 and strictly carry out Directive 15 on drasticmeasures to contain the spread of COVID-19 such as banning events and meetings of more than 20people and gatherings of over 10 people outside offices, schools and hospitals.
The15 localities in this group are Binh Duong, Can Tho, Dong Nai, Ha Nam, HaiPhong, Kien Giang, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Thai Nguyen, Thua Thien-Hue, Soc Trang,Lang Son, An Giang, Binh Phuoc, and Dong Thap.
Thelow-risk group, comprising the remaining 36 localities, is required to continuefollowing Directive 15.
Theclassification of those groups is not fixed and will be reviewed regularly.
Themeeting also reviewed the implementation of Directive 16 and measures tocontinue practicing social distancing in the time ahead./.