Hanoi introducing comprehensive measures to control COVID-19: City leader

Hanoi (VNA) - Hanoi will do everything possible to control the COVID-19 situation with the implementation of synchronous and comprehensive measures in all areas, while focusing on sealing off pandemic hotspots and preventing its spread, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung has said.

Speaking at a meeting of city leaders on May 25 to identify measures to deal with the pandemic, Dung asked local residents to remain vigilant without being overly-concerned, as the situation in the city is still under control.

It initially applies lockdowns and social distancing measures in particular areas, he said, stressing that there is no plan for social distancing in the entire city.

Dung asked key officials, especially heads of Party Committees and local administrations, not to leave their locality and to be on duty around-the-clock to focus on pandemic prevention and control, which is the number one task now.

The city has decided to raise its pandemic prevention and fighting efforts to a higher level, with the issuance of an order to temporarily halt a number of service businesses such as restaurants and catering services (except for take-away services), restrict mass gatherings, close hair salons and entertainment activities, and ban physical exercise in parks and public places.

He called on officials, Party members, military, and local people to stay united and uphold their determination and responsibility to control and fight COVID-19.

“Only by thoroughly controlling the pandemic can we protect our health and safety and continue to boost development,” he said.

All agencies and sectors should promptly adapt to the situation to reach the “dual target” of preventing COVID-19 and recovering and boosting socio-economic development, ensuring the peoples’ livelihoods, he underlined.

The city leader also asked the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in Hanoi and organisations and local residents to continue donating to the city’s fund for COVID-19 prevention and control to speed up the vaccine strategy.

Hanoi started shutting down all food and beverage establishments as well as hair salons and beauty parlors from 12:00 on May 25 so as to contain the spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 which causes COVID-19.

A dispatch issued by Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Chu Ngoc Anh says food and beverage facilities can only allow takeaways and residents must absolutely stop entertainment activities, physical exercises and large gatherings in parks, gardens and public locations.

People returning to Hanoi from other localities starting May 25 must submit medical declarations within 24 hours. Those who returned to the city between May 10 and May 24 should also do so until the end of May 25.

Vingroup, T&T Group and other businesses are requested to test employees and residents living on their premises for COVID-19.

The latest decision follows the formation of several COVID-19 clusters associated with either the T&T Company or buildings in Times City, which is owned by Vingroup.

The municipal Health Department was requested to direct public and non-public medical facilities to continue tightening pandemic prevention and control and ensure absolute safety at hospitals and health clinics.

The dispatch also asks the municipal tourism department to re-check all quarantine zones in hotels and residences. All facilities found unqualified to quarantine people must stop receiving new people, and existing zones in hotels and residences in downtown districts would gradually receive fewer people before stopping completely.

Meanwhile, talking to the media on May 24, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung affirmed that the city has yet to consider applying social distancing.

He asked local residents to strictly follow the Ministry of Health’s 5K message: khau trang (facemask), khu khuan (disinfection), khoang cach (distance), khong tu tap (no gathering), and khai bao y te (health declaration)./.