The country needs to continue undertaking drastic and clear-cut measures in an attempt to contain the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that is currently spreading globally, the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control stated during a meeting held in Hanoi on March 16.

The contents of the meeting saw updates on current COVID-19 infection rates globally discussed. At present, the virus has been detected in 154 countries and territories worldwide with approximately 170,000 infection cases confirmed. Many nations have implemented a range of measures to deal with the outbreak, including tightening borders, putting a halt to various sporting and entertainment activities, whilst also imposing a ban on mass public gatherings. 

Presiding over the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam calls
for more bold measures in place to bring the epidemic under control 

Meanwhile, there have been 57 cases of the COVID-19 detected in the country, with 16 of them going on to make a full recovery and be discharged from hospital. Amongst the 41 recent cases, 17 involve foreign visitors entering Vietnam, most of whom travelled by air. This therefore greatly increases the risk of the disease spreading throughout the community. 

Due to the complicated nature of the pandemic globally, including factors such as the virus mutating, the Steering Committee agreed that the country should closely monitor and control the number of foreign visitors entering the nation. Now, health declarations have been made compulsory for foreign arrivals, particularly for those coming from epidemic-hit areas in a bid to detect and isolate suspected cases early. 

The committee also encouraged the wider population to fill out the public health declaration form as it can make it easier for relevant authorities to adopt a swift and effective response in case of infections being detected. 

As a result, the committee assigned the logistics sub-committee to come up with a plan to ensure sufficient medical protective equipment is provided for medical workers and those tasked with epidemic prevention and control. 

A Ministry of Health representative revealed plans to set up a mobile testing system and mobilise the private medical sector in the fight against the COVID-19.

In an effort to slow the spread of the epidemic, wearing face masks in public places has been made compulsory for all citizens as of March 16. VOV has learned that while many people are aware of the need to don protective masks in public, many others have been spotted ignoring the new regulations.