Russian media commends Vietnam’s fight against COVID-19

Police in Nha Trang city examine and remind commuters of COVID-19 prevention and control regulations (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) - The Russian website kommersant.ru ran an article on April 23 lauding Vietnam’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and highlighted the country’s role as the ASEAN Chair in promoting regional cooperation in the endeavour. 

Vietnam has now relaxed social distancing measures imposed in major cities and provinces on April 1 to stem the spread of the pandemic. 

The article cited an April 22 report from the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control as saying Vietnam had reported no new infections for six days in a row, with its total remaining at 268, of whom 222 recovered, while deaths are at zero. 

Vietnam’s strategy has been unique, the article said, despite sharing a long border with China. 

It also pointed out the differences between measures undertaken by Vietnam and other countries that cost little and involve no mass testing and the application of digital technologies in controlling self-quarantine. 

With a limited budget, the country has sealed off clusters and stepped up preventive measures, according to the article. 

Vietnam’s “secret” is “risk level classification”, it noted, explaining that the committee has classified all the 63 cities and provinces into high, medium and low risk. Social distancing measures have been applied based on these classifications. 

It is the Vietnamese people who have affirmed that the Party leadership has been a significant factor in this success. 

The Party has called on the public to stay united and view the fight against the pandemic like a fight against a visible enemy. 

The article quoted analyst Peter Mumford from the US’s Eurasia Group as saying that Vietnamese authorities exceeded expectations and were quick to close borders and restrict movement in areas where clusters of infections were developing. 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said Vietnam was in the fight together with other ASEAN countries and regional leaders have agreed to support each other. 

The article also reviewed phone talks between PM Phuc and Russian PM Mikhail Mishustin. 

It quoted the Russian PM’s press agency as saying that the two sides discussed prospects for enhancing cooperation, with attention to be paid to bolstering exchanges between health experts and medical facilities./.