Prime Minister's Urgent Directive on Covid-19 Prevention and Control

Reception of people from abroad in isolation at the isolation ward of People's Police College II, An Phuoc Commune, Long Thanh District

Accordingly, in order to ensure a safe and joyful celebration of the Lunar New Year 2021, the Prime Minister asked the Ministry of National Defence to assume the prime responsibility and coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security and the People's Committees of border provinces to strengthen border management and prevent thoroughly illegal entry, especially at tracks, open paths, sea routes, etc. Legal entry cases are subject to a full 14-day quarantine and medical follow-up after concentrated isolation according to regulations; absolutely not to let the pandemic spread in the quarantine area and from the quarantine area to the community.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should review cases in whichour citizens abroad wish to return to the home country, and create conditions for those who are lonely elders, in difficult circumstances, have gone abroad for medical treatment, and have expired their visa, labor contract, and educational period overseas; and suspend flights to Vietnam from countries and territories infected with a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 and in complicated developments, especially from England and South Africa.

If a case of infection is detected, the concerned ministries, branches and localities are required to promptly trace and immediately apply necessary measures to prevent the outbreak from spreading to the community.

The Ministry of Public Security shall direct intensification of investigation and legal handling of illegal entry cases and organization of illegal entry, accommodation establishments, hotels accepting people with illegal entry and subjects opposing and disobeying regulations on the pandemic prevention and control.

The Ministry of Transport shall lead and direct strict implementation of regulations on prevention and control of the pandemic before, during and after flights carrying people on entry, ensuring early detection and application of appropriate measures for cases of infection and with a risk of infection upon entry by air.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc assigned chairmen of the People's Committees of provinces and cities to strengthen inspection, detection and handling of illegal entries in the area; assign tasks to the regular police forces at the commune level, launch mass movements, mobilize the fronts and mass organizations at the grassroots level; recommend each family, citizen, residential group, and residential area proactively detect and report cases of illegal entry; direct strict implementation of regulations on concentrated isolation and medical follow-up after concentrated isolation; strictly implement wearing of masks in public places and penalize cases of not wearing them according to regulations; and limit mass gatherings and organization of festivals. Events with a large numberof people are subject to compliance with the health authorities' requirements and guidance on the pandemic prevention and control.

It is also important to strengthen inspection, urge and rectify implementation of anti-pandemic measures in organizations, units, residential areas, and places at high risk such as supermarkets, railway stations, airports, and schools, hospitals, businesses, factories, etc., strictly handle violations and place responsibility on leaders in case of violation.

Bao Ngoc​