The Prime Minister said these 5 major cities are at high risk of virus infection reiterating that the next two weeks are the golden time to curb the spread of the deadly virus. He asked the cities to brief on the local disease prevention and ways to better cope with the epidemic. He praised the health care sector and localities for their exerted efforts in disease prevention and control.

Prime Minister Phuc said: ‘With a fighting spirit as of the old days as during the 12-day Dien Bien Phu in the air victory in 1972, we now have 15 days or more to fight the epidemic and curb its spread in Vietnam to protect people’s health and lives. This is a heavy responsibility but an honor for us. It’s now time we promote the spirit of the 1975 campaign when the Vietnam People’s Army Command sent a letter to Sai Gon asking for going faster and faster to seize opportunities to win and now to defeat the epidemic.”

The Prime Minister asked localities, Ministries, and sectors to make all-out efforts to combat the disease: “We need to create conditions to ensure prompt response to the worst case. We need to prepare food and food stuff, field hospitals, and stand-by forces to get ready for emergency situations or even curfew as we implemented during the wartime. The Prime Minister will report all these measures to the Politburo and the National Assembly. We need to strengthen our hospitals to ensure Covid-19 treatment capacity, especially in high-risk localities.”

The Prime Minister agreed upon the halt of flights to Vietnam and the restriction of flights between Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh city and other localities within 2 weeks with some certain exception. The Prime Minister asked the Ministry of Transport to tighten control of passengers on trains and buses. He stressed the importance of ensuring social security for workers, helping enterprises, and ensuring security for the public.

At the meeting, the Prime Minister was also briefed on the situation at quarantine areas.

Lieutenant Colonel Thanh Hai, Commander of the Military Command of Hoang Mai district, said the Phap Van-Tu Hiep quarantine area has received more than 1,800 people including 83 foreigners: “During the last 10 days in the quarantine areas, isolated people are in stable conditions. They are confident in the disease prevention measures of the Party, government, the State, and city as well as the Capital Military Command. Military, police, and health care forces and the Youth Union have worked closely with the highest sense of responsibility to combat the disease and ensure security for the nation.”

Colonel Le Khac Hung, Deputy Commander of the Da Nang Municipal Military Command, said that functional agencies have strengthened communications to make the locals feel safe and abide by regulations at quarantine areas.