Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister NguyenXuan Phuc issued a directive on March 11, requesting stronger actions toprevent and control COVID-19 amid new developments of the outbreak.

The acute respiratory disease has been recordedin 105 countries with 114,000 infected people. Over the last 10 days, thenumbers of infection cases and deaths have risen sharply.

In Vietnam, after 22 days without any new cases,18 infection cases have been recorded over the last four days, including manyfrom countries with large trading and traveller volumes with Vietnam.

Facing the new developments, the PM orderedministries, sectors and localities to continue strictly and drasticallyimplementing directions by the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat and theGovernment leader to minimise the spread of COVID-19, stay ready to deal withthe outbreak, and protect people’s health and lives.

He asked them to gear up for all circumstancesand keep in mind the spirit of “fighting the epidemic is like fighting anenemy” and “protecting people’s health and lives even at the expense ofeconomic benefits”.

In particular, PM Phuc requested ministries,ministry-level agencies and the People’s Committees of provincial-level localitiesto push ahead with quickly detecting and strictly controlling sources ofinfection, both in the country and from other nations; quarantining ormonitoring those who have contact with confirmed cases in line with the HealthMinistry’s guidance; and checking people entering the country within the last14 days but not having to stay at concentrated quarantine areas.

He also demanded tightened control of thoseentering Vietnam via points of entry by air, land and sea; and suspension ofthe unilateral visa exemption for citizens of, as well as for Vietnamese peopleand their spouses and children in Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, the UK,France, Germany and Spain.

Health declaration is compulsory for all peopleentering Vietnam; those coming from or travelling through areas affected by theoutbreak must be quarantined; and flights between the country and those areas,including those by foreign airlines, must be minimised, according to thedirective.

The PM also asked agencies and localities tostrictly manage and ensure safety for tourism activities, postpone overseastrips, and advise people against going aboard, especially the areas affected byCOVID-19.

In his directive, the Government leader alsoordered relevant parties to ready plans for large-scale quarantine; step up theresearch on COVID-19 prevention, treatment and vaccines; and strictly deal withpersons publicising fake news, intentionally inflating prices or violatingregulations on health declaration and quarantine./.