Hanoi (VNA) - Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, and other major cities where COVID-19 caseshave been confirmed should take strong measures to effectively prevent thespread of the pandemic within the community, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucsaid on February 8.

Such measuresinclude social distancing in line with the PM’s Directives No 15 and 16 in caseof a worsening situation, the PM said at an online meeting of permanent Cabinetmembers.

The Ministry ofHealth (MoH) pointed out the high risk of the pandemic spreading as thereremain sources of infections yet to be detected in major cities, especially in baggageand cargo handling services at HCM City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

It reported thatall 7,300 employees at the airport have been tested and five of them were positivefor the coronavirus. Twenty-four related cases were also found later.

The pandemic hasbeen basically contained in the northern provinces of Quang Ninh and Hai Duong, where thefirst cases in the latest outbreak were recorded, and most other cities andprovinces, the ministry said.

Phuc asked HCMCity and the ministry to play a more active role in the fight and encouragepeople to follow COVID-19 prevention and control measures, including wearingfacemasks and avoiding mass gatherings.

Travel during theTet (Lunar New Year) holiday should be limited, he said, urging localities toprepare resources, including medical supplies, food, and COVID-19 hospitals incase the situation worsens.

Hai Duong, QuangNinh, Gia Lai, and Hai Phong will continue with proposed plans, while Hanoi andHCM City need to identify their own way forward in this regard, according tothe leader.

Social distancingshould be imposed when necessary, he said, ordering stronger alertness among medicaland political systems and the public, as well as an active role from the mediain the fight.

The PM agreed withthe ministry’s proposal to buy COVID-19 vaccine produced by the AstraZenecaGroup and begin injections in the first quarter.

The MoH and itsminister are responsible for selecting partners, vaccines, and those to be vaccinated,with funding coming from the State, he said.

He also asked relevantforces, most notably the police, army, and market management forces, to step upmeasures to ensure security and order./.