Hanoi prepared to cope with COVID-19 in all circumstances

The building where a confirmed case live in Hai Ba Trung district was under lockdown on January 29 morning (Photo: VNA)

(VNA) – Hanoi will test all people who have
returned from Quang Ninh province and ’s Chi Linh city, which
have been hit by the latest COVID-9 outbreaks, since January 14.

Chairman
of the Hanoi People’s Committee Chu Ngoc Anh on January 28 night issued an
urgent official dispatch to the city’s departments, agencies and People’s
Committees at all levels to prepare for any COVID-19 response scenario. The
city expects to complete the testing by February 1.

The
Department of Health was asked to cooperate with local authorities to
trace, identify, offer testing and monitor the health of people who have
returned from the outbreak-affected areas and those who have been in
contact with returnees.

The
department would also closely work with the Health Ministry’s Preventive
Medicine Department and health departments of other localities, particularly Hai
Duong and Quang Ninh provinces to trace suspected cases.

Local
hospitals and healthcare units were asked to tighten disease prevention and control
measures.

The
chairman asked for tightened controls on entry, health monitoring and
quarantine, especially measures to prevent infections in quarantine areas or
spread to the community.

Agencies
were also asked to instruct people to strictly follow the health ministry’s 5K
(in Vietnamese) message: Khau trang (face
mask) – Khu khuan (disinfection)
– Khoang cach (distance) – Khong tu tap (no gathering) – Khai bao y te (health declaration).

Authorities
also called on people report suspected cases of illegal entries or
violations in disease prevention and control.

Police
would cooperate with relevant units to tighten inspections, detection and
prevention of illegal entries. The army would continue to help the health
department, districts and townships to arrange sufficient quarantine areas in
case the pandemic resurges in the city.

Media
outlets were asked to help people understand and implement requirements
and recommendations by the health ministry, National Steering Committee for
COVID-19 Prevention and Control and city authorities.

The
transport department will increase oversight at coach and railway
stations, as well as over public transportation.

Coach
operators have to record information of passengers who travel on
inter-provincial routes, particularly those going to or from localities with
reported community infections.

The
department on January 28 ordered the suspension of road transport between the
capital city and the northern province of .

At
the same time, the department asked all transport services to strictly
apply measures to prevent the spread of the virus, by requesting drivers
and passengers to wear face masks throughout their trips and providing hand
sanitisers.

The
Department of Culture and Sports would review and consult the municipal People’s
Committee about the organisations of festivals and events.

The
Department of Industry and Trade will introduce inspections at shopping
centres, supermarkets, markets and convenience stores. Shoppers must wear
face masks and keep a safe distance.

Vietnam
recorded nine new community infections of COVID-19 over the
past 12 hours as of 6am on January 29.

Among
those, there is one living in Hanoi’s Hai Ba Trung district. The patient had
been in close contact with a security worker at the Van Don International
Airport, who tested positive on January 27./.