A café in Hà Nội allows takeaway only as Đống Đa District halts on-site dining and in-person study starting Monday. — VNA/VNS Photo Tuấn Đức

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội People’s Committee is required to actively prepare to handle a higher-risk outbreak as cases spike in the capital city, according to Secretary of Hà Nội Party Committee Đinh Tiến Dũng.

The immediate step is to focus on the grassroots levels, especially improving healthcare capacity and people’s awareness. 

What is more worrying, said Secretary Dũng, is the negligence amid the outbreak situation in several areas as people gathered in large crowds and did not follow the 5K measures of the Ministry of Health (MoH).

However, thanks to the joint efforts of the whole system, the outbreak in the city remains under control despite a sharp increase in the caseload, Dũng said.

All levels of the authorities are thus required to coordinate for safe and flexible adaptation and effective control of the COVID-19 pandemic, as per the direction of the central government. 

The Standing Committee of Hà Nội Party Committee has agreed to allow 15 inspection teams to assess, supervise and promptly address the situation in the city’s localities. 

The committee also required Hà Nội People’s Committee to prepare for scenarios where the daily case count increases to 2,000 and 3,000, and to mobilise hospitals and medical facilities in the city.

Policies and frameworks will also be completed to call for support from medical students and retired medical workers for grassroots facilities. 

The city will also continue its vaccination drive, especially for junior high school students and people with underlying medical conditions. 

The plan also includes administering the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine for high school students, and preparing to inject booster shots following the instruction of the MoH.

For testing, it is necessary to address the difficulties in procurement and receive donations for medical equipment at the local level, and to ensure that test results are promptly announced.

District-level governments are also required to be well-prepared and not to fall into a passive position in any given scenario. 

The Standing Committee of Hà Nội Party Committee also directed district-level leaders to assess the level of the pandemic in their locality, which will determine the corresponding measures. 

The strategy is to improve healthcare capacity, establish new mobile medical stations, and allow at-home treatment of COVID-19 patients and self-isolation for their close contacts.

The districts will closely coordinate with the city’s departments of health and of education to develop specific plans to welcome students back to school, while ensuring children’s safety through testing and vaccination, and appropriate measures should an infection be detected. 

With the possible large gatherings in the upcoming holiday season that could pose a high risk of transmission, local management is expected to encourage online religious celebrations, following the direction of Secretary Đinh Tiến Dũng.

The localities must also communicate to religious leaders and people to work together in the city’s fight against COVID-19. 

The Party unit in Hà Nội’s People Committee is required to issue general guidelines to reinforce pandemic prevention and control measures, especially in entertainment venues and usually-crowded spaces on major holidays. 

Police forces will also be given the direction to ensure traffic, security and order to avoid large gatherings in this season. — VNS