Hanoi (VNA) – Social distancing measures need tobe lifted in a gradual and prudent manner that suits each locality’s situation soas to achieve the dual target of effectively controlling the COVID-19 pandemicand ensuring socio-economic development, according to Prime Minister NguyenXuan Phuc.

He made the remark at a meeting on April 15 among theGovernment’s permanent members, the national steering committee on COVID-19prevention and control, ministries, sectors and localities. This event reviewedthe implementation of the PM’s Directive 16 on urgent measures against thedisease and discussed the next steps.

Addressing the session, PM Phuc thanked the whole people forsupporting the Party and State’s policies on the COVID-19 combat, saying thatgenerally, the entire society has complied with Directive 16 well with goodoutcomes obtained.

He called on people to continue supporting the Governmentand adhering to disease prevention and control measures.

Although Vietnam has secured certain achievements in thework, there remain latent risks of community transmission which could turnsmall hotspots into large outbreaks, he noted, requesting all to stay vigilant,keep in mind that “fighting the pandemic is like fighting an enemy”,and continue social distancing to protect people’s health and lives.

The Government leader pointed out the necessity to have cautiousand appropriate measures to gradually bring back the normal life when thepandemic is pushed back.

He also stressed that an effective fight against COVID-19must be based on the maintenance of economic activities at certain levels.

At the meeting, PM Phuc agreed with the national steering committeeabout the classification of localities into three groups – those with high risks,risks and low risks of COVID-19 transmission. The list of localities in three groups can be changed depending on their situations.

Accordingly, the high-risk group gathers 12 localities,namely Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Lao Cai, Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, Ninh Binh, DaNang, Quang Nam, Binh Thuan, Khanh Hoa, Tay Ninh and Ha Tinh. They willcontinue implementing Directive 16, which includes social distancing amongmeasures, until April 22 or April 30, depending on their situation, or evenlonger if new infections are found.

The group with risks comprises 15 localities: BinhDuong, Thai Nguyen, Can Tho, Nam Dinh, Ha Nam, Nghe An, Hai Phong, Kien Giang,Thai Nguyen, Thua Thien-Hue, Lang Son, An Giang, Binh Phuoc, Dong Thap and SocTrang. They have to carry out Directives 15 and 16 until April 22. The nextsteps for them will be decided on April 22 basing on the reality.

Meanwhile, though the 36 remainders have low risks, thepossibility of COVID-19 transmission is still very high, so they have tocontinue complying with Directive 15, according to the PM.

He ordered the chairpersons of provincial-level People’sCommittee to decide social distancing measures to be applied in theirlocalities, asking for those violating regulations on disease prevention andcontrol to be strictly handled.

Besides, the existing policy on exit-entry control needsto be continued until April 30, PM Phuc added./.