Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI – Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Saturday launched a special emulation movement that appeals to people nationwide to stay united and join in efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

The campaign was launched at the first meeting of the Central Emulation and Rewards Council in the 2021- 26 tenure in Hà Nội.

PM Chính, who is also Chairman of the council, said the COVID-19 pandemic, with the emergence of new variants that are more contagious and dangerous, has been developing in many localities, causing serious impacts on society, the economy, and people’s lives. It may last a long time and is posing major challenges to the pandemic fight and socio-economic recovery efforts.

He asked authorities at all levels, organisations, agencies, localities, and people across the country to focus on the key tasks of encouraging all people to actively join the COVID-19 fight so as to successfully contain the virus and protect people’s health and lives, while promoting production and business activities to help boost economic recovery and development, create resources for the combat, and guarantee social security, especially for the disadvantaged.

At the same time, he emphasised the importance of the implementation of the motto “speedy tracing, fast zoning, reasonable testing, effective treatment, stopping the spread of infections”.

Chính said the entire political system would continue to focus on pandemic prevention and control. Party committees and authorities at all levels must uphold their responsibility in the spirit of creativity, daring to think, daring to do, and daring to take responsibility. They must create consensus among people, be proactive, flexible, apply pandemic prevention and control solutions, and have plans and scenarios to promptly respond in all situations.

Frontline forces, including officials, medical staff, army, police and volunteer teams, should continue to show they're willing to stand strong in difficult times with enthusiasm and dedication to the community, Chính said.  

Enterprises and entrepreneurs of all economic sectors are encouraged to promote patriotism, consensus, solidarity, and efforts to overcome difficulties and challenges, maintaining and stabilising production to ensure labourers’ incomes. 

The Government leader expressed his belief that with the common efforts and the unanimity of the entire Party, people, and army, along with support from overseas Vietnamese and the international community, the country will defeat the pandemic and soon return to the new normal.

At the meeting, the PM’s decision on appointments of officials to the Central Emulation and Rewards Council was announced.

Accordingly, the council comprises 19 members. Its vice chairpersons are President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Đỗ Văn Chiến, Vice President Võ Thị Anh Xuân, Minister of Home Affairs Phạm Thị Thanh Trà, and President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour Nguyễn Đình Khang.

Participants also discussed draft working regulations of the council, task outcomes in the first seven months of 2021, and the key duties for the remaining months of this year. — VNS