Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the meeting. Photo: VNA

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has requested stepping up the application of technological advances in the fight against COVID-19 outbreak and mobilizing means and personnel for treatment of infected patients in order to minimize possible deaths.

At a meeting of the government’s permanent members in Hanoi on March 13, PM Phuc highlighted the need to drastically prevent sources of infection and spread of the disease in the community and promote health declarations as new epidemic hotbeds have appeared in the world.

“Vietnam has enough capability, resources, experience and will to prevent and control the epidemic. For the people’s health, we are willing to sacrifice economic benefits in the short-term,” he stressed.

The PM asked administrations at all levels, ministries and agencies to maintain the “double” goal of epidemic prevention, and social stability maintenance and development. 

Regarding education, PM Phuc requested the sector to maintain quality despite reducing the time for teaching and devise suitable measures for international schools in the country.

In crowded places, it is a must for attenders to wear face masks, he said, adding that airports and international border gates have to prepare face masks for passengers entering Vietnam.

The government leader also noted that Vietnamese patients will be exempted from treatment fees, while foreigners will have to pay treatment fees and be exempted from quarantine and test costs.

The Ministry of Health was assigned to set up a fund for COVID-19 prevention and control.

According to the PM, Vietnamese students who return home must be subject to quarantine in line with regulations.

Border areas must be closely controlled to prevent travellers from epidemic-hit areas from entering Vietnam via a third country.

The Ministries of Health, Information and Communications must closely monitor social media to prevent the spread of negative information causing public panic, and increase drills in several localities to better respond to contingencies, PM Phuc said.

Existing scenarios, including plans to ensure food and necessities for people, must be lifted to a higher level, he said.

The National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control was urged to prepare necessary medical equipment for the fight against the disease, especially test kits to promptly discover SARS-CoV-2 positive cases.

Localities were recommended to distribute leaflets about epidemic prevention measures to each household.

Vietnam confirmed the 45th COVID-19 infection case in the afternoon of March 13. Among the infection cases to date, 16 had been successfully treated and discharged from hospitals./.

VNA/VNP