Hanoi now at “very high” risk of COVID-19 transmission: chairman

Tubes containing samples for testing (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Hanoi has raised its COVID-19 alert
level as it is currently at “very high” risk of , according
to Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung.

At a meeting of the city’s steering committee
for COVID-19 prevention and control on August 5, the chairman said Hanoi, which
has recorded three infection cases over the last few days, must conduct for the
disease even if the number of tests can reach hundreds of thousands since only
this testing method can confirm whether a person is negative or positive for
.

He asked local hospitals to carry out timely PCR
tests for any people returning from pandemic-hit areas and showing cough or
fever so that patients won’t have to visit different hospitals like a recent
case in Bac Tu Liem district because the later they are detected, the more
virus from them could spread to others.

He demanded continued review of all people
coming or returning from central Da Nang city – the current COVID-19 cluster,
nearby Quang Nam province and other places related to confirmed patients. Aside
from filling in health declarations and being monitored, they also need to
self-quarantine at home.

Additionally, any people travelling from Da Nang
since July 15 still need to undergo PCR tests though they have had rapid tests,
Chung said, asking commune-level clinics, district-level health centres and
hotline operating units to send staff to take samples for testing when
receiving information from local residents, who must also self-quarantine
pending test results. 

At the meeting, Chung repeated the request that
workplaces in Hanoi must arrange body temperature checking, hand sanitiser and
fumigation while keeping a safe distance must be practiced at restaurants, and
bars, night clubs, festivals and events with mass gatherings banned.

According to the municipal People’s Committee, a
large number of local people have travelled to Da Nang recently.

To contain the spread of COVID-19, the
administration has regulated penalties for 13 types of violation related to the
disease prevention and control.

Notably, any people who do not wear face masks
at public places will be fined up to 300,000 VND (13 USD). Those improperly
dispose of used face masks at public places will be fined a maximum of 5
million VND, or up to 7 million VND if they litter pavements or roads with
discarded face masks. Besides, those hiding the COVID-19 status of themselves
or others will face punishments of up to 2 million VND./.