Hanoi takes advantage of “golden time” of social distancing to control the epidemic

The Secretary affirmed that the decision to apply Directive No.16/CT-TTg was carefully prepared, with corresponding scenarios to ensure its implementation with the least disturbance to people's lives in order to promote the effectiveness of the Directive.

He also urged people to raise their sense of responsibility and coordinate with the municipal authority to soon control the epidemic situation in the city.

Under the new social distancing measures, only essential services and production establishments ensuring safety against the pandemic are allowed to open.

People are asked to stay at home and only go out in necessary cases like buying food and medicine, medical treatment, vaccination, business trips, working at essential businesses and emergencies.

People must also strictly keep a distance of at least 2m when communicating and must not gather in groups of more than two people outside of the workplace, schools, hospitals and public places.

Hanoi residents are required to submit health declaration forms via the website www.tokhaiyte.vn or on the Ncovi or Bluezone apps.

Those who have symptoms such as fever, coughing or difficulty breathing must contact local medical establishments for further instructions.

According to Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Van Phong, the Hanoi Department of Health has developed a detailed scenario for each stage of the epidemic from 5,000 to 50,000 beds.

In addition to Hanoi's public health system, the city has also mobilised non-public medical facilities, hospitals from the central level, ministries, branches and armed forces stationed in the area.

Regarding vaccination, the Department of Health said that as of July 23, Hanoi has injected more than 211,000 doses of vaccines for frontline forces and priority subjects. The city is implementing an injection plan with a target of 100,000 to 200,000 doses per day.

Patients with underlying medical conditions and a history of allergies will be given injections in hospitals where there is enough equipment to be ready for emergency care if complications arise. As planned, by March 2022, the vaccination will be completed for about 70% of the population of the capital.