The Prime Minister instructed the continuation of COVID-19 prevention and control measures in the new situation.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc

The directive states:

The COVID-19 pandemic has spread worldwide, infecting millions and causing hundreds of thousands of deaths, severely impacting socio-economic activities globally. After three weeks of nationwide social distancing as per Directive No. 16/CT-TTg dated March 31, 2020, issued by the Prime Minister, the country has promptly detected and handled outbreaks, continued to control and limit community transmission, successfully treated the majority of infected individuals, and reported no deaths. However, the pandemic continues to evolve in a complex manner, with a high risk of resurgence, negatively affecting the economy, society, and people's lives.

In order to effectively implement disease prevention and control measures, while simultaneously restarting and continuing economic development, ensuring social welfare and stability, the Prime Minister requests:

1. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, and People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities shall continue to thoroughly understand and strictly implement the following viewpoints, principles, and guidelines:

a) Unify understanding and action, thoroughly grasp the viewpoint of "fighting the epidemic like fighting an enemy," mobilize the participation of the entire political system and all citizens, uphold discipline, order, and the responsibility of leaders, and strictly implement epidemic prevention and control measures as directed by the Politburo, the Secretariat, the National Assembly, the Government, and the Prime Minister. At the same time, pursue the goal of continuing to develop production and business, and create jobs under the specific management of the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province or centrally-governed city, taking into account specific conditions;

b) Cadres, Party members, civil servants, and public employees must set an example and take the lead in implementing measures to prevent and control the epidemic;

c) Firmly implement the principles of epidemic prevention and control: prevention, detection, isolation, containment, and eradication of the epidemic, while simultaneously doing a good job of treatment and minimizing deaths; the "4 on-the-spot" principle, absolutely no negligence or complacency;

d) Easing restrictions implemented to serve epidemic prevention and control in accordance with the evolving epidemic situation; restoring socio-economic activities while ensuring good epidemic control, especially in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and other major cities.

2. The relevant Ministries, agencies, and People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities shall continue to direct the implementation of the following measures:

a) People should regularly wash their hands with soap or disinfectant; wear face masks when going out; maintain a safe distance when interacting with others; and avoid gathering in large crowds in public places, outside of offices, schools, and hospitals.

b) Continue to suspend festivals, religious ceremonies, sports tournaments, events with large gatherings in public places, stadiums, and other large, non-essential events.

c) Temporarily suspend the operation of non-essential service businesses (amusement parks, entertainment venues, beauty salons, karaoke establishments, massage parlors, bars, nightclubs, etc.) and other service businesses as decided or directed by the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province or centrally-governed city.

d) Commercial and service establishments (wholesale, retail, lottery, hotels, accommodation establishments, restaurants, eateries, etc.) except for those mentioned in point c of section 2 above, sports training areas, historical sites, and scenic spots are allowed to reopen but must implement measures to ensure safety and prevent the spread of the disease, such as: providing protective equipment for staff, measuring the body temperature of visitors; providing adequate facilities and supplies for hand washing and disinfection at the premises and ensuring social distancing during interactions.

d) Inter-provincial and intra-provincial public passenger transport services are allowed to resume operation, but must implement safety measures to prevent and control the epidemic according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Transport, such as: passengers and drivers must wear masks, and adequate facilities, soap, and hand sanitizer must be provided for passengers to wash their hands.

Specifically for air passenger transport, appropriate measures specific to the aviation industry should be applied to ensure passenger safety and prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

e) Reduce and space out the number of students in classrooms, stagger class times, lunch breaks, and group activities to ensure that large crowds do not gather; disinfect and clean classrooms; combine online learning with other methods and implement disease prevention measures for students.

g) Factories and production facilities continue to operate and must implement disease prevention and control measures for workers and employees.

h) The head of the agency, unit, organization, or establishment is responsible for developing a suitable work plan for the agency or unit to ensure the safety of staff; avoiding unnecessary large gatherings and meetings, and preventing work delays, especially for tasks with deadlines or time limits as prescribed by law, and public services serving citizens and businesses.

For events serving essential political, economic, and social purposes that truly need to be organized, the local Party committee and government will decide and implement infection prevention and control measures such as: wearing masks, sanitizing hands, maintaining social distancing; conducting health monitoring; and refraining from organizing banquets or celebratory parties.

3. The Prime Minister shall consider and decide on the level of risk of disease transmission for each province and centrally-administered city based on the proposals of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 prevention and control.

4. The Chairperson of the People's Committee of the province or centrally-administered city, in addition to directing the implementation of the measures stipulated in Section 2 above, is responsible for organizing the implementation of epidemic prevention and control measures corresponding to the risk levels, ensuring the following requirements:

a) Provinces, centrally-administered cities, and high-risk areas shall continue to strictly implement disease prevention and control measures in accordance with Directive No. 16/CT-TTg dated March 31, 2020, of the Prime Minister.

b) Provinces and centrally-administered cities at risk:

- People are advised to stay home unless necessary and to take preventive measures against the epidemic.

- Do not gather more than 20 people in public places, outside of workplaces, schools, and hospitals; maintain a minimum distance of 1 meter when in contact with others.

c) Provinces and centrally-administered cities with low risk levels:

- Publicize and encourage people to stay home unless necessary and to implement disease prevention and control measures.

- Do not gather more than 30 people in public places, outside of workplaces, schools, and hospitals; maintain a minimum distance of 1 meter when in contact with others.

d) The Chairpersons of the People's Committees of the relevant provinces and centrally-administered cities shall determine the scope of high-risk areas within their localities and direct the strict implementation of disease prevention and control measures in accordance with Directive No. 16/CT-TTg dated March 31, 2020, of the Prime Minister.

5. The Ministry of Health focuses its direction on:

a) Timely detection, isolation, containment, and thorough handling of outbreaks; application of information technology to search for and identify cases at risk of infection.

b) Organize rational patient triage and treatment pathways right from the patient reception stage, prevent infection at healthcare facilities, and ensure safety for healthcare workers, those involved in epidemic prevention and control, the elderly, people with underlying medical conditions, and vulnerable groups.

c) Guidance on implementing disease prevention and control measures at production, business, service establishments, and transportation facilities.

6. The Ministries of National Defence, Public Security, and Foreign Affairs shall continue to direct the strict implementation of entry restrictions; closely control incoming travelers; and ensure that all individuals granted entry undergo quarantine as prescribed.

7. The Ministries of National Defence and Health, and the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities concerned shall continue to effectively organize the implementation of quarantine and improve living conditions at centralized quarantine facilities.

8. Ministries and ministerial-level agencies shall provide guidance on measures to prevent and control epidemics and ensure safety at facilities and activities within their scope and areas of management.

9. The Ministries of Information and Communications, Science and Technology, Education and Training, Industry and Trade, and the Government Office shall direct the implementation of information technology applications in medical examination and treatment, online work and learning, e-commerce, cashless payments, and the implementation of administrative procedures and public services, promoting the development of e-government and the digital economy.

10. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities shall continue to promote information and communication work on disease prevention and control and socio-economic development; strengthen inspection and supervision, and strictly handle organizations and individuals who are irresponsible or violate regulations on disease prevention and control, including criminal prosecution (if any).

11. Ministries, relevant agencies, and People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities shall focus on directing the implementation of socio-economic development measures, including:

a) The Ministry of Industry and Trade and relevant ministries and agencies should focus on and urgently promote the signing of export contracts with EVFTA countries; prepare the necessary conditions and goods, especially those with export advantages and potential, to be ready for immediate implementation after countries lift lockdowns and reopen.

b) Continue to review and ensure the supply and transportation of raw materials for production and export.

c) Promote the development of the domestic market, implement measures to stimulate demand and boost consumption, especially e-commerce and retail systems, ensuring sufficient essential goods for the people in all situations; gradually reopen domestic tourism.

d) Proactively research and develop plans to restart socio-economic activities, ensuring adherence to safety principles for disease prevention and control.

12. The Ministries of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Finance, and the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities shall urgently implement measures to ensure social security in accordance with Resolution No. 42/NQ-CP dated April 9, 2020 of the Government on measures to support people facing difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring timeliness, transparency, and targeting the correct beneficiaries.

13. We propose that the Vietnam Fatherland Front and other mass organizations coordinate with authorities at all levels to strengthen efforts to mobilize the people to raise their awareness and actively participate in epidemic prevention and control.

14. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government agencies, chairpersons of provincial and centrally-administered city People's Committees, and relevant organizations, units, and individuals are required to strictly implement this Directive./.