Deputy PM urges proper loosening of coronavirus restrictions

Speaking at a meeting of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control on May 6, the senior government official stated that Vietnam has basically brought the COVID-19 pandemic under control, with production, business, and daily activities now having resumed.

However, with tens of thousands of new infections and thousands of fatalities each day around the globe, Dam, who is also the head of the National Steering Committee, stressed the importance of maintaining close management over everyone entering Vietnam to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

The steering committee requested that the military and public security and health sectors continue consolidating all mechanisms, especially those in information technology, to immediately quarantine new cases in the community as soon as they are detected.

People must continue to wear face masks in public, maintain a distance from each other of at least one metre, and regularly wash their hands with antibacterial soap or sanitiser.

According to the committee, students are not required to wear face masks in classrooms but are advised to wear them during break and to avoid contact with friends in other classes. Air conditioners can be used in classrooms but doors and windows should be opened at certain times to facilitate air circulation.

The committee also requested that offices, factories, supermarkets, markets, hospitals, and restaurants maintain prevention measures.

Non-essential services can resume, except for clubs and karaoke bars, if social distancing measures can be ensured.

Meanwhile, the committee said social distancing measures can be eased for public passenger transport, including aviation, while other prevention measures must be maintained.

Vietnam has reported no new COVID-19 infections in the community for 20 days in a row as of the morning of May 6.

The national count still stands at 271 cases, of which 232 patients have recovered or been discharged from hospital, while the remainder are being treated at medical facilities nationwide with most of these in stable condition.