The capital is set to test all of the 100 samples of imported food for SARS-CoV-2 in order to ensure safety for local people during the upcoming 13th National Party Congress, according to Khong Minh Tuan, deputy director of the Hanoi Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Hanoi will test all of the 100 samples of imported food for SARS-CoV-2
(Photo: Internet)

Tuan outlined that inspectors from the Hanoi Department of Food Safety and Hygiene will take a total of 40 samples, while the Hanoi Industry and Trade Department will be taking 30 samples. In addition, a working group from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will be responsible for taking an additional 30 samples.

Tuan added that all of the collected samples will immediately be sent to CDC Hanoi who will conduct testing on them to detect SARS-CoV-2.

This comes after the Ministry of Health sent a dispatch to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the People's Committees of various provinces and cites in late November to order to test samples of imported food packaging. This is aimed at checking items brought in from countries with large novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreaks in an effort to stop any potential exposure to the virus.

Earlier, Hanoi Mayor Chu Ngoc Anh also requested that all local administrations encourage people to strictly follow health recommendations, including wearing face masks and avoiding large gatherings in public spaces.

The municipal leader also underlined the need to closely monitor pandemic developments in the locality, whilst  swiftly responding to any emergency cases in an attempt to keep the virus at bay in the community.

Police forces in the capital have also been directed to actively co-ordinate alongside relevant agencies to control entries, thereby promptly preventing and strictly handling acts of illegal entry, as well as other violations relating to COVID-19 prevention and control regulations.