Indonesian writer hails Vietnam’s strategy in COVID-19 fight

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – General Secretary of the Indonesia Literature Forum Agus Marwan has recently written an article analysing Vietnam’s 12-point strategy in the fight against COVID-19.

In his article published on Suara Mahardika newspaper, Agus Marwan said the country that should be most concerned during the pandemic is Vietnam because it borders China to the north while many Vietnamese are living and working in Wuhan where the first cases of the disease were found. 

He added that from the outset of the epidemic, top Vietnamese leaders agreed on countermeasures by pooling existing resources.

He highlighted 12 points in the strategy, such as a communication campaign with Prime Minister's statement “Fighting the epidemic is like fighting an enemy”, monitoring closely security in border areas, and suspension of flights from/to epidemic-hit areas along with people from epidemic-hit areas being checked and put under quarantine.

Security forces were deployed to verify and trace down those who had contact with COVID-19 patients. The community has also engaged in the effort by providing relevant information for authorities.

Since the earliest days of the epidemic, the Government has asked citizens to wear a face mask in public areas, including rural and urban areas. Those who committed violations will be given strict punishment. Masks were distributed for free at bus and railway stations, and markets, said Agus Marwan.

Closure of places of public services and schools, and social distancing measures were among the 12 points.

Such efforts have been welcomed by international community, Agus Marwan said, adding that Vietnam also assisted other countries in coping with the epidemic.

According to him, Vietnam presented face masks to France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Cambodia, and Laos.

The US magazine “The Nation” also hailed Vietnam for having the most effective response to COVID-19, and there are many lessons to be learned from its extraordinary success.

Meanwhile, the US’s Bloomberg News said after succeeding in containing the spread of COVID-19, Vietnam is gradually easing restrictions across the country and allowing several business activities to resume.

Vietnam’s approach has been lauded by the World Health Organisation and the US Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, it said./.