Hanoi ramps up COVID-19 inoculation drive, with 4.48 million vaccine doses administered so far. (Photo: VNA)The capital city, however, has kept the situation under good control so far, with local authorities maintaining a close watch on developments of the pandemic to provide guidance on COVID-19 response, keeping in mind the Prime Minister’s motto “fighting the pandemic is like fighting the enemy.”
The city has also mobilised the participation of the entire political system and people in the COVID-19 fight. Thanks to such efforts, Hanoi has successfully ensured the safety for the elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2021 – 2026 term in May, as well as the national high school graduation exam in July.
In mid-July, Hanoi started to introduce tighter preventive measures against COVID-19, particularly after the city saw thousands of returnees from Ho Chi Minh City, which was experiencing strong surges in COVID-19 cases.
The municipal Party Committee’s Standing Board has directed local administrations to enforce strict COVID-19 prevention and control rules at industrial parks and export processing zones to prevent the spread of the virus. The municipal Department of Trade and Industry has been tasked to provide adequate supply of essential goods at stable prices for at least three months while actions have been actively taken to maintain smooth circulation of goods, ensure social welfare and support poor households with exclusive policies.
Despite the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak, the city has created thousands of new jobs for people. Its Industrial Production Index (IIP) picked up 6.3 percent year on year during the first eight months of this year while State budget revenue edged up 10.3 percent compared to the same period last year.
In 2021, Hanoi sets a total of 23 goals for socio-economic development, including a 7.5 percent GRDP growth rate which is now viewed as very challenging amid the worst-ever COVID-19 resurgence. From now until the end of the year, Hanoi’s authorities at all levels will focus on removing barriers to speed up public investment disbursement while offering tax reductions for affected enterprises and helping them tackle difficulties.
The municipal Party Committee’s Standing Board has demanded local administrations and Party organisations to fulfill a number of major tasks as followed.
First, the city’s entire political system must pay full attention to fighting COVID-19 with the spirit of "fight the pandemic is like fighting the enemy".
Second, they must strengthen leadership and direction in implementing solutions for boosting socio-economic development and supplying sufficient resources for the COVID-19 fight.
Third, they need to mobilise all possible resources for and encourage donations to the national COVID-19 vaccine fund and, fourth, continue tightening control on migration.
Fifth, the effectiveness in managing local COVID-19 response must be taken into account when measuring a leader’s capacity, credibility and accountability.
Sixth, leaders of local administrations and Party organisations are requested to set an example in combating the pandemic and hold accountability for the virus prevention and control.
Since April 29, the capital city detected a total of 3,802 COVID-19 infections, including 1,595 cases found in the community. It has seen a downward trend in the number of COVID-19 cases over the last few days.
Nearly 573,830 COVID-19 vaccine shots were given to people in Hanoi on September 12, raising the total doses administered across the city to more than 4.48 million, or 89 percent of its allocated vaccines. The city is also stepping up mass testing and vaccination for local residents, particularly at high-risk residential areas and sectors./.
VNA
