Workers at a factory take samples for COVID-19 tests (Photo: Health Center of Binh Chanh district, Ho Chi Minh City)

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked ministries, sectors, localities, and heads of administrative agencies to tighten immigration and border control and punish anyone who violates regulations.

He said the primary goal is to protect public health while balancing pandemic prevention with economic development.

“We need to quickly trace and identify people who have come into close contact with any COVID-19 patient, enforce quarantines, and fight the pandemic as we would fight an enemy.  The political system and social-political organizations must strive for both pandemic prevention and economic development. Frontline forces must be flexible, creative, and strictly enforce regulations.”

Yen Bai, Vinh Phuc, Ha Noi, Ha Nam, Da Nang, and HCMC, all of which have reported recent COVID-19 cases, have stopped receiving tourists at historical and religious sites, have closed beaches, are allowing students to study at home, and have temporarily closed non-essential services, sidewalk eateries, cafes, and bars.

The public is being cooperative. Nguyen Kim Oanh of Hanoi said: “I had to close my sidewalk business. If I stayed open, it might affect other people. I agreed to close my business to keep the pandemic from spreading. I will wait until the administration allows us to reopen.”

Because some people recently tested positive for coronavirus after a 14-day quarantine, the Health Ministry has proposed extending the quarantine period. The Ministry is seeking to obtain COVID-19 vaccines while pushing ahead with developing home-grown vaccines.