The Prime Minister has approved the proposal by the National Steering Committee of COVID-19 convention to carry on the social distancing order in Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City and other 10 localities with high risk of outbreak.
“This group of localities can be adjusted. The Government will have a meeting next week to consider the social distancing till April 22 or 30 depending on the actual circumstances”, said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the online meeting with 63 localities regarding the prevention of COVID-19 on the afternoon of April 15.
Prime Minister also requests Ho Chi Minh city, Ha Noi and other 10 localities (in the group of high risk for nCoV), namely Lao Cai, Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, Ninh Binh, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Binh Thuan, Khanh Hoa, Tay Ninh and Ha Tinh must conduct social distancing yet paying attention to manufactures and construction.
With respect to 15 localities in the medium risk, including Binh Duong, Can Tho, Dong Nai, Ha Nam, Hai Phong, Kien Giang, Thai Nguyen, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Thua Thien – Hue, Soc Trang, Lang Son, An Giang, Binh Phuoc, Dong Thap, the Prime Minister requests the undertake of Directive 15 and Directive 16 till April 22. The next decision will be issued on April 22, depending on the actual circumstances.
The remaining 36 provinces are classified in the low-risk group. Still, the Prime Minister believes there exists the risk of outbreak in the community; hence, the leaders of each province should conduct physical distancing and the precautions of COVID-19.
“We cannot return the normal life as before but take cautious steps”, said the PM and he also requests the related ministries to limit domestic flights till April 30, suspend visa issuance to foreigners in air, sea and land transport. The Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs coordinates with 63 provinces and cities to immediately implement the social security package with the spirit of “saving hunger like fire”.
Earlier, the Permanent Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long proposes that the Government divides the provinces into 3 groups to take appropriate measures to prevent and control the pandemic.
The high-risk group of 12 provinces and cities will continue to implement social isolation according to Directive 16, at least until April 22. The Steering Committee will then evaluate, report and propose the Prime Minister to decide.
For medium-risk and low-risk groups, Mr. Long said that there is no need to continue social isolation, but there should be specific regulations on production and business activities to ensure requirements against epidemics; take compulsory measures, including: limiting the movement out of the residences, wearing a mask, washing hands frequently, keeping a minimum distance with others at least 2 meter; prohibiting social gatherings (including religious activities); banning all entertainment services and continuing to close tourist areas.
The criteria for classifying cities and provinces are based on the following factors such as transport hubs, travel density; borders; previous contact with foreigners; population density, factories, concentrated industrial parks … and especially based on the capacity of local authorities when there appears infected cases; the capacity to control the implementation of anti-epidemic precautions.
Meanwhile, Minister – Head of Government Office Mai Tien Dung suggested to divide localities only into 2 groups. High-risk groups that need to apply social isolation until April 22 are 12 provinces and cities, including: Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Lao Cai, Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, Ninh Binh, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Binh Thuan, Khanh Hoa and Tay Ninh.
The remaining localities are classified as low-risk group and are not necessary to continue social isolation. As in the past few days, people in these provinces in which there are no risk of infection are under huge pressure and desire to back to usual life.
“It is not necessary to continue the nationwide isolation since the forces and people are skillful and have experienced in the Covid-19 prevention. Even without social isolation, people can continue to implement precautions such as wearing masks, not gathering and limiting communication, “said Mr. Dung.
For the remaining low-risk localities according to the National Steering Committee criteria, Mr. Dung suggested that the cities directly under the Central Government should be responsible for organizing the entire social isolation as regulated.
Previously, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi proposed social distancing until the end of April 30.
According to vnexpress.net
