Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc requested the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs to temporarily suspend grant of new work permits to foreigners who come from novel coronavirus hit areas.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc presides over the Cabinet meeting
in Ha Noi on March 3, 2020. Photo: VGP

The Government chief made the request at the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, during which the Cabinet reviewed socio-economic performance and discussed measures to mitigate negative impacts of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Earlier, the Government decided to temporarily halt unilateral visa exemption program for citizens from South Korea and Italy due to rising infections in the two nations.

As the epidemic has generated negative impacts on several sectors, particularly tourism and air transport, Phuc asked for thorough evalation of the epidemic situation to design specific and prompt responses conducive to production and business activities.

Though the Government has yet taken into account of a stimulus package, marco stability still remains the top task, PM Phuc stressed.

He urged the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Industry and Trade and the State Bank of Viet Nam to be ready for all scenarios of the epidemic but electricity prices are not allowed to be increased.

The Ministry of Finance was tasked to quickly submit a proposal on tax exemption and reduction to the Government for consideration and approval./.