Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on April 3 stressed the urgent need for people to follow the social distancing order, considering it an effective measure to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to the wider community.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc says all resources must be mobilised
to combat the COVID-19 epidemic

During an address given at a cabinet meeting held in Hanoi, PM Phuc acknowledged the efforts put in by cities and provinces to implement social distancing measures. However, he noted that there has been some misunderstandings occurring in several localities when implementing the policy, which has led to some people facing difficulties when moving from one place to another.

In general, these new measures must be strictly implemented in a swift manner without any worries to their economic impacts, said the PM, adding that the primary goal of the policy is to prevent both outside and inside sources of infection becoming widespread among the community.  

PM Phuc recalled that the country’s strong resolve to stamp out the epidemic is currently in its “golden” stage, before urging all resources to be mobilised for the fight.

Citing a number of drastic measures introduced by other countries, including imposing border lockdowns and stiff fines on law-breakers, the government leader stated that only strictly implemented preventive measures give the economy a chance of recovering and bouncing back. 

The PM said he had phoned Korean President Moon Jae-in, who suggested rolling out additional quick tests to detect the virus in the community at an early stage. He asked cabinet members to consider applying the Korean model in large cities, whilst also mobilising additional funds.

Key cabinet members discussed a government resolution on social welfare, which is set to be released to support people who are vulnerable to the various impacts of the COVID-19, including members of poor households and workers who have lost their jobs.  

It was reported at the meeting that there are now 233 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country, with no fatalities reported. Of the total, 85 patients have gone on to make a full recovery and have been discharged from hospital.

Bach Mai hospital in Hanoi is considered an infection hotspot with 42 people linked with the site going on to test positive for the virus. As a result, local authorities have traced and quarantined tens of thousands of patients and their relatives in an attempt to halt the spread of the virus.