HCMC – Local authorities must employ Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures and should not restrict transport and trade activities, Minister and Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung said at a press conference after a monthly cabinet meeting on February 2.
He said the relevant ministries, agencies and localities should not underestimate the urgency of the situation. Without quick, strong and prompt solutions, the disease cannot be controlled, Dung stressed.
He also announced that the Government was determined to import Covid-19 vaccines and consider a new round of relief aid to support residents and enterprises affected by the pandemic in this quarter, the local media reported.
As for pandemic prevention and control measures, Dung ordered the tracing of those who were in close contact with Covid-19 patients and heavy punishments for violators.
All leaders of the Party, the State and the entire political system are trying their best to control the pandemic quickly and effectively so that local residents can enjoy a safe, happy and peaceful Tet holiday.
At the press briefing, Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan said the ministry had determined Covid-19 hotspots in Van Don in Quang Ninh and Chi Linh in Hai Duong, traced those in close contact with patients and conducted testing on a large scale to prevent the disease from spreading further.
As for Covid-19 vaccines, the ministry has signed a contract with AstraZeneca so that the British drugmaker will provide 30 million doses of its Covid-19 vaccine for Vietnam this year. The ministry has also negotiated with drugmakers in the United States and Russia to buy vaccines from them.
Due to the limited number of vaccines, they will be given to medical workers, the elderly and some diplomatic officials.
Vietnam is also testing its vaccines on people and expects to produce Covid-19 vaccines in late 2021 or early 2022, following which they will be made available for all local residents.
Due to the complicated developments of the pandemic, Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long asked the Hanoi government to monitor the situation and then decide if the city should apply social distancing measures.
