The Prime Minister’s Directive No. 16, which has the content of implementing social isolation in response to COVID-19, is a stronger measure to prepare for emergencies, but it is not a nationwide lockdown like what is being applied by some countries, according to Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc

The list of factories and essential shops allowed to stay open will be decided by the chairpersons of the People’s Committees of provinces and centrally run cities, the official said.

The Directive No. 16 was issued by the Prime Minister on the morning of March 31 concerning the implementation of urgent solutions to prevent and combat COVID-19. Accordingly, the Government leader ordered a 15-day period of nationwide isolation starting 00:00 on April 1, with the principle of every household, village, commune, district and province going into self-isolation.

He asked the people to abide by the epidemic prevention and control requirements and measures with self-awareness, actively participate in voluntary health declaration, fully implement measures to protect themselves and their families, and responsibly participate in prevention and control activities of functional agencies and the community.

The heads of enterprises, production establishments and traders of goods and services are responsible for applying epidemic prevention and control measures at their establishments to ensure the health and safety for workers./.