Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has recommended not applying large-scale social distancing measures after four community cases of coronavirus were detected in Ho Chi Minh City. 

Disinfecting areas hit by the virus. (Illustrative photo).

In an urgent telegram dated December 2, the PM suggests implementing social distancing measures in high-risk places instead of large areas to avoid adverse effects on people’s lives and economic production.  

The PM’s directions come after HCM City considered imposing such restrictive measures in several districts where newly detected COVID-19 cases were recently confirmed.

The Government leader asks HCM City to speed up contact tracing to nip in the bud a third coronavirus outbreak in the community.

He requests the Ministry of Transport to make clear the responsibility of organisations and individuals relating to violations of regulations on COVID-19 prevention and control, and report the results to him,

A Vietnam Airlines flight attendant was said to have violated COVID-19 regulations during his quarantine period. While in the quarantine camp, he contacted one of his colleagues who was later confirmed to have carried the virus.

He left the camp for self-quarantine at home, but met his relatives and friends. One of his friends, a teacher of English, was then infected with the virus and the teacher passed the virus onto two other people through contacts.

Vietnam Airlines admitted that the flight attendant had flouted quarantine regulations.

Also in the telegram, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc permits airlines to continue with flights to bring diplomats, experts, investors, skilled workers and their relatives to Vietnam and to transport Vietnamese guest workers abroad.

The Prime Minister assigns the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Health and Transport to work out plans to repatriate Vietnamese citizens stranded overseas due to COVID-19, in accordance with reception and management capacity as well as requirements for epidemic prevention and control locally.

All returnees must be placed in either concentrated quarantine facilities managed by the military or in qualified civil quarantine facilities managed by localities. These facilities must be closely monitored to prevent cross-spread and spread of diseases to the community.