GOV’T CHIEF AGREES TO HALT INCOMING FLIGHTS AMID RISING COVID-19 INFECTIONS

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc agreed with a proposal to halt incoming passenger flights to Viet Nam and reduce as many as possible flights from Ha Noi and and Ho Chi Minh City to other localities and vice versa in the next two weeks.

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The agreement was announced at a video meeting between the Government chief and leaders of five centrally-run cities, namely Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Can Tho and Hai Phong this morning.

PM Phuc also agreed with the proposal of the Ministry of Finance to temporarily suspend lottery services for 15 days, applicable since April 1.

He demanded drastic and comprehensive to deal with COVID-19 clusters, especially at Ha Noi’s Bach Mai Hospital and Buddha Bar in Ho Chi Minh City.

Competent authorities must trace around 40,000 people who have visited the Bach Mai Hospital over the past days for medical surveillance, Phuc ordered.

He also asked for further strengthening diagnosis and treatment capacity for medical facilities at all levels and better protection of frontline forces.

Regarding patient No. 178 who failed to provide accurate information on record travel, PM Phuc agreed to allowed the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Public Security deal with this case as a warning message for all that do not cooperate with the competent agencies in the fight against the pandemic.

So far Viet Nam has confirmed 179 infection cases, of whom 161 have been reported since March 6 following influx of flights from foreign countries. Of the total, 21 have recovered and exited hospitals.

Against that backdrop, the Government has put in place a series of measures to contain the virus from spreading to the wider communities, including ban of gatherings of over 20 people, suspension of non-essential services among others.

Citizens are encouraged to stay at home as much as possible, wear masks at public places, and keep distance from others.

Source: VGP