The General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) has requested its departments to strengthen pandemic prevention and ensure customs control.

Online supervision at the GDVC. Photo: Quang Hung

The GDVC has asked heads of departments to request all customs officers to comply with directions of Hanoi People's Committee on the prevention of the Covid-19 pandemic.

From July 19, all units must assign 50% of officers to work online at home and meet the requirements of their key tasks.

Heads of units will base decisions on the development of the public health crisis to assign independent working teams to ensure that if units record infections, they still arrange sufficient officers to work.

Units are required to minimize face-to-face meetings, ensure distance if holding meetings, as well as increase online performance.

They must temporarily suspend inspection teams for 19 southern provinces that are undergoing social distancing.

If localities out of these provinces must be inspected, the number of officers of the working team must be limited.

The reception must be limited. If necessary, it must be held at the working area of units and be approved by the GDVC’s leaders. Minimize moving out of Hanoi City. If officials go on business out the city, they must report to their units’ heads.

The GDVC has asked departments to comply with instruction of authorities for pandemic prevention and control; prepare equipment, supplies, and facilities to respond to infection levels; ensure the smooth operation of information systems 24/7, and the combat of smuggling, commercial fraud and online supervision in the entire customs sector.