Hanoi (VNA) – Hanoi is battling the fourthwave of COVID-19 infections since late April which has caused adverse effects on the city's business andproduction and people’s life.

The capital city, however, has kept the situation undergood control so far, with local authorities maintaining a close watch on developments of the pandemic to provide guidance on COVID-19 response,keeping in mind the Prime Minister’s motto “fighting the pandemic is like fighting the enemy.”

The city has also mobilised the participation of the entirepolitical system and people in the COVID-19 fight. Thanks to such efforts,Hanoi has successfully ensured the safety for the elections of deputies to the15th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the2021 – 2026 term in May, as well as the national high school graduation exam inJuly.

In mid-July, Hanoi started to introduce tighterpreventive measures against COVID-19, particularly after the city saw thousandsof returnees from Ho Chi Minh City, which was experiencing strong surges inCOVID-19 cases.

The municipal Party Committee’s Standing Board has directed local administrations to enforcestrict COVID-19 prevention and control rules at industrial parks and export processing zones toprevent the spread of the virus. The municipal Department of Trade and Industryhas been tasked to provide adequate supply of essential goods at stable pricesfor at least three months while actions have been actively taken to maintainsmooth circulation of goods, ensure social welfare and support poor householdswith exclusive policies.

Despite the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak, the cityhas created thousands of new jobs for people. Its Industrial Production Index(IIP) picked up 6.3 percent year on year during the first eight months of thisyear while State budget revenue edged up 10.3 percent compared to the sameperiod last year.

In 2021, Hanoi sets a total of 23 goals forsocio-economic development, including a 7.5 percent GRDP growth rate which is nowviewed as very challenging amid the worst-ever COVID-19 resurgence. From now until the endof the year, Hanoi’s authorities at all levels will focus on removing barriersto speed up public investment disbursement while offering tax reductions for affectedenterprises and helping them tackle difficulties.

The municipal Party Committee’s Standing Board hasdemanded local administrations and Party organisations to fulfill a number ofmajor tasks as followed.

First, the city’s entire political system must pay fullattention to fighting COVID-19 with the spirit of "fight the pandemic is like fighting the enemy".

Second, they must strengthenleadership and direction in implementing solutions for boosting socio-economicdevelopment and supplying sufficient resources for the COVID-19 fight.

Third, they need to mobilise all possible resources forand encourage donations to the national COVID-19 vaccine fund and, fourth, continuetightening control on migration.

Fifth, the effectiveness in managing local COVID-19response must be taken into account when measuring a leader’s capacity,credibility and accountability.

Sixth, leaders of local administrations and Partyorganisations are requested to set an example in combating the pandemic andhold accountability for the virus prevention and control.

Since April 29, the capital city detected a total of 3,802COVID-19 infections, including 1,595 cases found in the community. It has seena downward trend in the number of COVID-19 cases over the last few days.

Nearly 573,830 COVID-19 vaccine shots were given topeople in Hanoi on September 12, raising the total doses administered acrossthe city to more than 4.48 million, or 89 percent of its allocated vaccines. Thecity is also stepping up mass testing and vaccination for local residents,particularly at high-risk residential areas and sectors./.