Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on April 9 warned against apathy the public has shown toward implementing the government’s social distancing measures, and said any law-breakers must be given heavy punishment.

The implementation of social distancing measures has over the past few days proved effective, but the infection risk remains very high, requiring us to put on full alert, PM Phuc told a Cabinet meeting in Hanoi.

“I request everybody to fully and strictly observe social distancing, including wearing face masks in public places,” said PM Phuc. “Those who refuse to implement the policy must be duly punished.”

Chairin gthe Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc says it is a must to put in place social distancing measures

According to the PM, drastic measures should be realized in a flexible, but not excessive way, so as one the one hand to strictly deal with law-breakers and, on the other to hand facilitate the movement of goods in society. 

Regarding the possibility of extending social distancing measures, he asked the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control and the Ministry of Health to examine the situation and make recommendations for submission to the Government and the Prime Minister for consideration after April 15. 

Alongside early detecting, isolating and effectively treating infection cases in the country, PM Phuc maintained that it is imperative to tighten control over outside sources of infection, including suspending all international flights to Vietnam, except for cargo flights and flight for citizen protection purposes to be approved by the Prime Minister. 

The Ministry of Health was asked to provide COVID-19 counselling services online for Vietnamese citizens abroad, temporarily cease the export of COVID-19 related drugs, while importing necessary drugs for treatment. 

Sharing difficulties production businesses are encountering, but Prime Minister Phuc stressed the current context also creates a window of opportunity for businesses to produce and export medical equipment which is in short supply in many foreign countries.    

During phone calls with foreign leaders, they all spoke highly of Vietnam’s experience and would like to purchase Vietnamese medical equipment, including face masks and test kits, said PM Phuc. 

He asked the healthcare, industry and other sectors to consider this ‘a chance as well as a challenge’ to weather the storm.