Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc called for measures in place to contain the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to remain in place on May 7 as a way of allowing life to return to normal as the social distancing order is gradually eased.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc calls for measures in place during
the easing of the social distancing order

Addressing a meeting of the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control in Hanoi, PM Phuc described how the country has successfully brought the epidemic under control, with no new locally transmitted cases being detected for the past three weeks. Due to this success, life has almost returned to normal, with schools beginning to reopen and businesses resuming operation.

Despite this, the PM warned that, “we cannot be complacent as the infection risk from outside remains high”. In doing so, PM Phuc cited sources which state that the disease is evolving in a complex manner globally, including in Southeast Asia, while there has yet to be a vaccine developed.

PM Phuc requested that members of the committee discuss measures to be introduced in a bid to ensure that the virus remains under control with life starting to return to normal and the country beginning to open up to the world. 

“How do students acquire knowledge in such hot weather when they must put on large protective hats and face masks at the same time?” the PM asked, making a point of raising the question to underline the challenges facing schools while trying to combat the COVID-19.

Following this, PM Phuc asked that the committee work out measures aimed at preventing the possible spread of virus among the community when a large number of Vietnamese expatriates are returning from epidemic hit areas globally.

The National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control suggests
implementing existing coronavirus preventive measures after restrictions are lifted

It was reported during the meeting that the country has reported no new community acquired infections since April 16. Indeed, last week only one British citizen was confirmed to have contracted the COVID-19 upon entering Vietnam. However, there is no possibility of cases spreading as a result of his arrival in the country due to the British citizen being quarantined upon landing.

Restrictions placed on Ha Loi village in Hanoi, the nation’s final COVID-19 hotspot, were lifted on May 6 after no new infections were detected for 28 days.

The committee were in unanimous agreement that Vietnam has effectively contained the epidemic, with a low risk of locally transmitted infection.

However, the current situation regarding the disease remains complicated globally, with more than 3.74 million confirmed infections along with approximately 259,000 deaths reported in 214 countries and territories globally as of May 6.

The committee therefore put forward to idea for the country to continue implementing existing measures in an attempt to prevent outside sources of infection, while gradually lifting restrictions within the country. This will serve to achieve the dual goal of controlling the disease while boosting socio-economic development.