Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam (standing) speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Vu DucDam affirmed the key role of the military, including the border guard force, inbattling COVID-19 during a working session with the Border Guard High Commandon August 11.
As head of the National Steering Committeeon COVID-19 Prevention and Control, he noted that the pandemic may last for along time, asking the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to devise plan to ensureequipment and fortify checkpoints along the border for soldiers, especially inunfavourable conditions and weather.
He also urged authorities of borderlocalities to closely team up with the border guard and public security forcesto keep a close eye on people entering Vietnam, particularly in industrialzones.
The MoD was requested to join hands withthe Ministry of Public Security to submit to the Prime Minister a plan onenhancing capacity for border protection and management in the new context,which pays due attention to the application of information technology.
Deputy Commander of the Border Guard MajorGeneral Le Duc Thai reported at the meeting that there are complicateddevelopments regarding the illegal movement across the land border afterVietnam imposed restrictions of entry and compulsory quarantine for those whoenter the country to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Thai, from February 2 toAugust 7, as many as 16,530 illegal immigrants were discovered and handled.
He said the Border Guard High Command hasenhanced personnel along the border, devised plans to receive Vietnamesecitizens returning from abroad and tackle rings that organise illegal travelacross the border, adding that the force has stationed nearly 9,800 soldiers atmore than 1,600 checkpoints since July 25.
The forces also launched proceedings andhanded over 41 cases of organising and brokering illegal migration to competentagencies.
In the coming time, the force will continueto keep a close watch on border gates, trails and crossings, maintain the numberof patrols, checkpoints and staff, and send more personnel to major andcomplicated locations./.
