HCM City's streets are empty during the social distancing period from April 1-15 (Source: VNA) HCM City (VNS/VNA) -Nearly 90 percent of the asked Vietnamese have agreed that the Governmentshould continue its social distancing policy beyond April 15 to avoid thespread of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a survey conducted by InfocusMekong Research, a market research service provider.
According to the surveyconducted on April 14 among 500 Vietnamese, only 5 percent believed that thecountry should stop social distancing, while another 6 percent were neutral.
The sentiment was the sameacross North, Central and South Vietnam.
When asked about their presentemployment status, 80 percent had negatively been impacted by COVID-19 and therequired social distancing, but still elected to maintain thepolicy.
“With 35 percent of people onreduced pay and work hours and another 45 percent having either lost theirlivelihoods, or at least temporarily, it is a clear indication that Vietnamesepeople are placing health and family above the mighty dong,” Ralf Matthaes,managing director of Infocus Mekong Research, said.
“It’s good to see that citizensstill have their priorities in the right place. As they say, better safe thansorry,” Matthaes said.
A number of localities acrossthe country have proposed extending the social distancing measures beyond April15, according to the National Steering Committee on the Prevention and Controlof COVID-19.
HCM City’s authorities havealso suggested extending the measures until the end of the month. Severallocalities have said social distancing should last until the end of May.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucrecently urged the public to continue to strictly follow social distancingguidelines, which are scheduled to take effect until April 15.
PM Phuc has asked the nationalcommittee to propose further plans, and the Government will make the decisionon the next steps on April 15.
Deputy Minister of Health NguyenThanh Long said the steering committee had collected opinions from itssub-committees on the imposition of social distancing.
The decision toextend social distancing will be made based on feedback collected fromsectors and localities, according to PM Phuc./.
VNA
