HCMC – Addressing the Government’s meeting on the Covid-19 situation late last week, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc urged the resumption of flights to Japan, South Korea and other countries that have managed to bring the Covid-19 pandemic under control, especially flights transporting Vietnamese laborers to these countries.
Phuc said the pandemic has been contained nationwide thanks to proper social distancing and other preventive measures. However, ministries, government departments and localities must not be careless. They should maintain preventive measures to keep Covid-19 under control while boosting investment, production, imports and exports.
The prime minister asked the airlines to continue repatriating Vietnamese citizens from the Covid-19-hit countries and create favorable conditions for foreign investors, experts and skilled workers to come to Vietnam.
The country will collect quarantine fees at quarantine centers nationwide from September 1, applicable to everyone entering Vietnam, while treatment costs will still be paid from the State’s budget.
Phuc assigned ministries with proposing relief packages in the second phase for businesses affected by Covid-19 and the poor.
Stressing that the pandemic has not completely ended and there could be new cases in the community, the prime minister encouraged everyone to continue practicing preventive measures such as wearing face masks while going out, washing hands regularly and avoiding large gatherings.
Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures must be strictly complied with in high-risk areas such as hospitals, medical centers and factories.
Leaders of cities and provinces are not allowed to suspend production, trade and essential services to minimize the economic impacts of Covid-19. Border provinces must tighten control over transport and travel in border areas and prevent illegal immigration.
Phuc asked the Ministry of Health to accelerate international cooperation in the Covid-19 vaccine research, while the national steering committee for Covid-19 infection prevention and control should promptly resolve issues related to the purchase of medical equipment for the treatment of Covid-19.
