Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the event (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc agreedto downgrade Hanoi to a COVID-19 risk area during a meeting of permanentGovernment members on April 22.
Its outlying districts of Me Linh and Thuong Tin, however, remain high-riskareas, and must continue to strictly follow Directive 16.
The PM lauded the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention andControl, localities, especially Hanoi and HCM City, ministries, departments,and people nationwide for taking drastic prevention and control measures overthe past three months that have secured encouraging results.
He highlighted the need to remain vigilant and live with the pandemic based onclear awareness.
Thanks to the social distancing order, no new infections have been reported forthe past six consecutive days, which the PM described as a victory for the countryto enter a new phase of long-term pandemic prevention while ensuringsocioeconomic development.
Further social distancing must be exercised, he said, while trade, jobcreation, and socioeconomic development must be facilitated.
He reiterated the policy of actively treating infections, puttingrecently-arrived foreigners, patients, and those at-risk under quarantine, andpromptly zoning off affected areas for the spraying of disinfectant.
The PM emphasised the “new normal” practices such as compulsory wearing offace masks in public places and maintaining a safe distance among people inregular activities, while continuing to advise people to refrain from going outor gathering in crowds. Those with a fever should stay at home and consult adoctor to prevent any spreading of the virus in the community.
He also agreed with measures being loosened in a cautious manner, as proposedby the steering committee.
For areas with high risk in Hanoi and Ha Giang, productionshould be facilitated on the condition of ensuring appropriate preventivemeasures.
Participants at the meeting also discussed issues regardingplans for educational studies and examinations in the future.
According to the Committee, Vietnam had 268 cases of infection as at 12am onApril 22 and no new cases reported since April 17. Of the 268, 222 have fullyrecovered and 46 remain under treatment at nine health facilities. Twenty-onehave tested negative at least once.
Regarding the “hotspot” in Ha Loi village in Hanoi’s Me Linh district, 13people have been infected but no new cases have been reported since April 15. Theentire village is under quarantine.
Regarding those related to patient 268 in northern mountainous Ha Giangprovince, 302 out of 358 samples tested negative and the remainder are awaitingresults./.
