(VOVWORLD) - The monthly government meeting for March convened in Hanoi on Wednesday to discuss ways to combat the Covid-19 pandemic and socio-economic performance this month and in the first quarter of this year.
 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the online monthly government meeting for March on April 1, 2020 (Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu) |
Chairing the meeting, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc insisted that the enforcement of social distancing doesn’t go against the law and aims to protect people's health and life. Social distancing is not national lockdown but minimizes transportation.
During the 15-day social distancing period from April 1st to 15th, commodities, especially essential goods and medical supplies, are still circulated and produced in the most possible safe manner. Export of goods, especially exports via land and sea routes, keep operating normally.
He asked offices, State administrative agencies, and companies to let employees work from home through the application of information technology.
Prime Minister Phuc said this is what all Vietnamese should do in the next 2 weeks because Vietnam is in the golden period of controlling the Covid-19 spread among the community.
“All people should voluntarily make health declaration, protect themselves and their families, and responsibly participate in prevention and control activities of functional agencies and the community,” said PM Phuc.
He asked “the heads of enterprises, production establishments, and traders of goods and services to be responsible for applying epidemic prevention and control measures at their establishments to ensure the health and safety for workers. The next 15 days are decisive for Vietnam’s fight against pandemic. As a result, it’s necessary to follow the principle - every household, village, commune, district and province is a stronghold. Each individual is the soldier to fight the pandemic.”
At the meeting, Mr. Phuc said that the government is proactively controlling the situation and doing the best to ensure social security, especially for the poor and the unemployed.
He added that the government will promulgate more measures to remove difficulties for business, boost public investment, and ensure social order and security.
Prime Minister Phuc said that according to the World Bank, Vietnam's economy grew by 3.82% in the first quarter. Although it was the lowest Q1 rate in a decade, the growth rate remains high compared with many other countries.