Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hasordered cancellation of meetings and events with more than 20 people over thenext several weeks as part of preventive measures against the spread of thenovel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The PM made the order at a governmental meeting on COVID-19prevention and control in Hanoi on March 26.
He also required a ban ofgatherings of more than 10 people outside of offices, schools and hospitals.
The Government leader urged peopleto stay indoors and only go out for essentials, and recommended switching toworking online to help stop the spread of the disease.
Phuc said as the transmission of the coronavirus is happeningmore rapidly in Vietnam, with more cases of community and hospital infections,administrations of all levels must take stronger measures and act faster toearly detect infections, timely put suspected cases in quarantine and protect thehealth of the others.
“The virus would spread faster than our actions if we do not actquick and drastically enough,” the PM said.
He demanded a full suspension of all public religiousservices and closures of non-essential services, such as bars, karaoke clubs,massage parlours, cinemas, restaurants, beer clubs, entertainment centres andtourist spots, except for those selling food and essential goods.
Operation of public transports must be halted or re-organisedwhile flights connecting two major cities – Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City – andother localities should be reduced, the leader said.
Those orders will be effective from 0:00am on March 28 withno end date specified.
Also at the meeting, the National Steering Committee ofCOVID-19 Prevention and Control reported that a total of 46,933 people are currentlyunder quarantine, including 412 people quarantined in hospitals, 20,386 instate-designated areas and 26,135 in self-quarantine at home.
The Ministry of Public Security reported that it has tracedall 44,636 Vietnamese people and 36,911 foreigners entering Vietnam from March7 – 24 and asked them to go into quarantine either at home or in designatedfacilities and fill in health declarations.
PM Phuc is scheduled to chaira meeting on March 31 to discuss measures to address difficulties faced by theeconomy./.
VNA
