Thông báo 89/TB-VPCP

NOTICE

CONCLUSION OF THE PRIME MINISTER NGUYEN XUAN PHUC AFTER THE GOVERNMENT MEETING ON COVID-19 CONTROL MEASURES

On March 09, 2020, the Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc had a meeting with the Government on Covid-19 control measures. The meeting was participated by Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh, Deputy Prime Ministers Pham Binh Minh, Vu Duc Dam, Trinh Dinh Dung, Minister, Chairperson of Government Office Mai Tien Dung, the Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung, Chairperson of the Committee for Culture, Education, Youth and Children of the National Assembly Phan Thanh Binh, the President of the People’s Committee of Hanoi Nguyen Duc Chung, representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalid and Social Affairs, Central Propaganda Committee, Central Communist Party Office, members of the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 prevention and control (hereinafter referred to as “National Steering Committee”). After listening to the reports of National Steering Committee and the People’s Committee and comments of the participants, the PM has given the following conclusion:

1. The Government agrees with the report of National Steering Committee, and that we do not lose control over the epidemic situation thanks to the well constructed scenarios.

Vietnam has adequate resources, strong will and good experience of control epidemic control; has modern technology, excellent physicians, and a system of specialized hospitals that successfully treated 16 patients with no deaths.

After 22 days of no new cases, there have been 18 new cases, including 07 Vietnamese people. All of these cases are infected in foreign countries.

With the effort of the whole political system, all Ministries, agencies, local governments and the people, the epidemic is still under control. The PM recognizes the effort and responsibility of Hanoi, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense, relevant local governments, the physicians and other forces that participated in quarantine management.

2. Now that Covid-19 is affecting and keep developing in 115 territories, especially those having trade relationship with Vietnam, we should assume Covid-19 epidemic situation in Vietnam will develop into a more complicated and difficult stage, thus composure and timely response will be crucial. We have been well prepared for this situation and will do better with the next scenarios with a strong will to stop the epidemic.

It is necessary to understand the situation to have proper actions. Do not underestimate the disease and do not get into panic. Ministries, sector management authorities and local governments shall synchronously implement various measures for prevention, early detection, classification and containment of the disease to prevent widespread transmission; protect health workers and servicemen and servicewomen who participate in covid-19 control, especially in quarantine zones, from infection. Request medical facilities, especially private medical facilities, to strictly follow instructions of health authorities on prevention of secondary transmission in medical facilities, and to properly organize drills on epidemic prevention and control.

Prioritize use of all resources to prevent and control the epidemic to protect the people’s health. Accept economic loss to ensure safety of the people. Tourism activities must ensure safety. Prepare plans and scenarios; ensure close cooperation between Ministries, National Steering Committee and local governments to maintain control over the epidemic situation. Stay updated on the situation; take decisive and effective actions; have specific response plans.

Forces such as customs, border guards, security guards at border checkpoints and airports intensify control of entry; do not let people at risk of infection enter the country. Impose heavy penalties on avoidance or incorrect health declaration.

Accelerate the process of identification, containment, quarantine and treatment of patients. First of all, find and quarantine all passengers on VN0054 flight for 14 days.

The people need not only to improve their healthcare knowledge but also how to protect themselves, their family and community.

3. The PM requests Ministries, sector management authorities and local governments to:

Fully publish information about Covid-19 in a timely, transparent manner; quickly find infected people and quarantine people having contact with them.

Ensure adequate supply of essential consumables, especially food and medicines, for the people. Improve provision of information about goods, the market, and epidemic situation for the people; maintain stability and safety of society to prevent panic buying as seen recently. Sector management authorities and local governments shall have plans for adequate supply of food and impose heavy penalties for illicit speculation, hoarding and price increase.

Improve the capacity of central and local medical facilities. Prepare human resources, vehicles, equipment and funds for epidemic control, especially testing capacity, vaccine production and test kits.

Take legal actions against failure provide or correctly provide information about epidemic situation. The Ministry of Justice shall take charge and cooperate with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Public Security and relevant authorities in proposing and taking actions against failure provide or correctly provide information about epidemic situation in accordance with the Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases.

The National Steering Committee shall consult with the PM before making important decisions.

The Ministry of Science and Technology, Research institutes, leading professors and physicians, and other institutes shall keep researching into prevention and treatment of Covid-19, including diagnosis, testing, treatment regimen and vaccine against Covid-19. The Ministry of Finance shall provide funding for these tasks and report to the PM.

4. Regarding some proposals off the National Steering Committee, the PM agrees to:

a) Unilateral suspension of visa-free entry of people from Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, England, France, Germany, Spain; suspension of certificates of visa exemption granted to Vietnamese people residing overseas and foreigners who are spouses and children of Vietnamese people residing in these 08 countries.

b) Make health declaration mandatory to all people entering Vietnam. The Ministry of Health shall provide instructions and organize implementation of this.

c) Promulgation of a Decision on licensing export of medical facemasks amid Covid-19 pandemic in accordance with Resolution no. 20/NQ-CP dated February 28, 2020 on licensing export of medical facemasks amid Covid-19 pandemic.

5. Ministries, sector management authorities and local governments shall implement Directive No. 11/CT-TTg dated March 04, 2020 on urgent tasks and measures for assisting businesses and ensuring social security amid Covid-19 pandemic; ensure effective assistance for businesses, promote border trading, maritime transport; and ensure social security during this period.

6. Government Office shall take charge and cooperate with the Ministry of Health in drafting a Directive on intensification of Covid-19 prevention and control; submit it to the PM for promulgation.

7. The National Steering Committee shall closely monitor the epidemic situation; promptly resolve the issues within the scope of their functions and duties; promptly report to the Prime Minister.

Ministries, authorities and the People’s Committees of provinces are responsible for implementation.