Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính chairs a regular Government meeting on Monday. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has asked the Government’s agencies and local administrations to work harder to control the pandemic and at the same time design scenarios for economic recovery and development in the new situation.

He chaired a regular Government meeting on Monday, focusing on socio-economic performance in August and the first eight months of this year.

PM Chính said that the fourth wave of COVID-19 has affected the socio-economic situation of the country, especially the lives, health and living conditions of people and production of businesses.

However, the country has managed to maintain socio-economic stability, ensured national defence and security, and strengthened external relations, he noted.

The Government leader highlighted the central task of fighting COVID-19, with 23 localities imposing social distancing measures, while the remaining 40 localities flexibly decide their priority on socio-economic development and pandemic control.

According to Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Trần Quốc Phương, the Consumer Price Index in August increased by 0.25 per cent compared to the previous month and by 1.79 per cent compared to the same period last year.

The macroeconomy has stabilised with the inflation rate controlled. Total retail sales of consumer goods and services in August were severely affected, down 33.7 per cent over the same period last year. A lot of localities, especially those with large industrial parks, have to implement strict social distancing rules, so they are facing a shortage of labour, or have to bear high production costs for raw material supply, production and business, Phương said.

PM Chính said the pandemic situation had been controlled in southern localities after the extended social distancing period. However, the pandemic prevention and control work in some localities showed shortcomings. Some agencies and businesses lack observance of the regulations.

At the meeting, Cabinet members examined the implementation of the Government’ Resolution 01/NQ-CP, the socio-economic situation of the country in 2021 and socio-economic development plan for 2022, as well as the progress of the public investment plan for 2021 and plan for 2022, and the economic restructuring plan for the 2021-2025 period, along with other important issues.

PM Chính required the Ministry of Finance to sum up proposals from sectors and localities on financial resources for pandemic control, while the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs should consider more support policies for forces on the frontlines of the pandemic fight.

The Ministry of Transport was assigned to ensure coherence in regulations for smooth circulation of goods, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was asked to continue speeding up the vaccine diplomacy to bring more vaccines to Việt Nam as fast as possible.

Chính re-emphasised the principles of ‘social distancing is a decisive factor; large-scale testing is key; treatment to reduce fatality rate is a priority; ensuring social security is important; vaccine and treatment medicine are strategies; ensuring people's safety, security, social order and safety is an important task’. The motto is to protect green zones, ensure goods supply and narrow red zones.

He ordered agencies and local authorities to maintain supply chains, set up standards on safe zones, and pilot international tourist arrivals to Phú Quốc by year-end.

PM Chính also urged Cabinet members to focus on evaluating the current situation, analysing the reasons behind problems and proposing solutions for better performance in September, thus laying foundation for the completion of socio-economic goals set by the National Assembly for the whole year. — VNS