Localities intensify COVID-19 prevention measures ahead of holidays

On April 27, a mission from the Ministry of Health (MoH) led by Deputy Minister Nguyen Truong Son came to inspect COVID-19 prevention work in Tien Giang Province.

Highly praising measures to prevent COVID-19 in the Mekong Delta locality, Deputy Minister Son said that in the face of complicated developments of COVID-19 worldwide, it is a must for Tien Giang to strictly implement the Prime Minister’s directive on the epidemic response.

Tien Giang should further promote communications on epidemic prevention and further raise public awareness about the dangers of COVID-19, he stressed, urging the province to thoroughly apply 5K message from the MoH and ensure the dual goals of both effectively prevent the disease and boost socio-economic development.

In particular, the province should pay more attention to promoting the role of community supervision in COVID-19 prevention with strict control over those at high risk and those who enter the province from the epidemic-hit areas, as well as improving testing capacity for the local health system and well implementing COVID-19 vaccination.

On the same day, Deputy Health Minister Do Xuan Tuyen led a delegation to inspect the prevention and control of COVID-19 at Binh Hiep International Border Gate in Kien Tuong Town, Long An Province.

Deputy Health Minister Do Xuan Tuyen (L) checks a diary for entries at Binh Hiep International Border Gate, Kien Tuong Town, Long An Province, April 27, 2021. (Photo: NDO/Thanh Phong)

Against the complicated COVID-19 in the neighbouring country of Cambodia, Long An needs to review and consolidate its strict epidemic prevention and control at the border gate, Tuyen urged, adding that local authorities need to well carry out communications between localities of Vietnam and the Cambodian side to minimise illegal entries, while immediately testing all subjects in the local quarantine camps, hospitals and clinics to not allow cross infection in the quarantine areas and from those camps to the community.

Facing the complicated developments of COVID-19, on April 27, several localities decided to halt festive activities ahead of the upcoming holidays. Hanoi City Party Committee today issued a written request to urge the local units to strengthen the prevention and control of COVID-19 in the capital city, including suspending festivals and pedestrian streets, while continuing to limit unnecessary events and activities that gather crowds.

Hanoi authorities requested the activation of the entire city's epidemic prevention and control system, drastically urging the implementation of epidemic prevention and control measures, the mandatory wearing of face masks in public places and preparing plans ready to respond to all situations.

On the same day, Thanh Hoa Province authorities decided to stop organising the opening ceremonies of Hai Tien sea tourism festival in Hoang Hoa district and Hai Hoa sea tourism festival in Nghi Son town, as well as the ceremony to announce a resolution of the National Assembly Standing Committee on the establishment of Nghi Son town.

Funding for fireworks (from private sources) at the ceremonies announcing the establishment of Nghi Son town and opening Hai Hoa tourism festival will be spent for purchasing materials against COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the People's Committee of Ha Tinh Province has issued a request on strengthening measures to prevent COVID-19, with the immediate suspension of festive activities and unnecessary events with crowded gatherings from 12 pm today until further notices.

Vietnam Railway Corporation on April 27 announced that, against the complicated development of COVID-19 in the world, the railway industry has strengthened prevention measures to proactively control and prevent COVID-19 before the transport peak during the upcoming holidays and summer season 2021, with all stations and passenger trains are enhanced with environmental sanitation and disinfection, as well as strengthening medical control over passengers and railway staff.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has also requested the aviation security control to be tightened before, during and after the upcoming four-day holidays. Accordingly, security measures will be enhanced at all units in the sector, including airport authorities, airports, aviation service providers and air traffic service suppliers. They are asked to increase personnel for aviation security control, examine and supplement necessary equipment, while preparing measures to improve service quality which helps meet travel demand of people.

Regarding COVID-19 vaccination in Vietnam, Deputy Health Minister Truong Quoc Cuong has decided to transfer 20,000 doses out of a total of 43,700 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine granted to Hai Duong Province during the phase 2 to supply to the northern province of Lao Cai and the eight localities in the southwestern region.

According to the decision, in addition to the 5,000 doses given to Lao Cai, the remaining 15,000 doses are issued to eight provinces in the Southwest. In which, Tien Giang, Ben Tre and Soc Trang receive 2,000 doses, while the remaining five provinces of Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Hau Giang, Bac Lieu and Ca Mau each receiving 1,800 doses.

Previously, the Minister of Health required localities organising COVID-19 vaccination under the Expanded Programme on Immunisation to end the vaccination before May 5 to not let to cancellation of any single dose of the vaccine.

On April 27, the Department of Health of Thai Binh Province issued a specific plan of vaccination against COVID-19 in phase 1 for priority subjects, including those working in health facilities and those joining anti-epidemic forces.

Accordingly, the vaccination campaign in Thai Binh starts from the morning of April 28 and ends on May 14.

Vaccination against COVID-19 starts on the frontline anti-epidemic force in Quang Binh Province, April 27, 20201. (Photo: NDO/Huong Giang)

This morning, the Department of Health of Quang Binh Province deployed the first vaccination campaign for the frontline forces. Previously, the MoH granted Quang Binh 8,200 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine.

From April 26 to May 15, Da Nang organises the second phase of COVID-19 vaccination for the front line forces against the epidemic. At each injection site, the local health sector arrange on-site emergency equipment and means for emergency treatment in case of any reactions. Accordingly, in this second phase, the MoH allocated 7,200 doses to Da Nang.

Also on April 27, Ben Tre Province started the first phase of COVID-19 vaccination at four venues with about 300 health workers vaccinated against COVID-19.