A woman enters Việt Nam from China in Lào Cai Province on Sunday. The Việt Nam-China border gate in the province opened for the first time after a three-year closure due to the pandemic on Sunday. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — As Lunar New Year and various festivals with crowded gatherings approach, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has ordered increased efforts in COVID-19 prevention and control.

Though the pandemic has been controlled in Việt Nam, there are still complicated developments, such as new variants like XBB emerging, he said in a dispatch issued on Sunday.

The PM ordered the Ministry of Health to continue closely monitoring the pandemic situation and coordinating with authorities to respond to developments of the pandemic proactively.

He said that the ministry should also cooperate with local and international experts and organisations to adjust COVID-19 prevention and control measures when needed.

The ministry must also coordinate with localities to promptly detect and handle outbreaks, prevent the spread in the community, and prevent and minimise the number of hospitalisations and deaths while accelerating the COVID-19 vaccination programme. 

The Prime Minister has ordered the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to work with competent authorities to instruct service providers to take preventive measures to ensure the safety of tourists and locals and to closely monitor the organisation of events and festivals during and after the Lunar New Year holiday.

The ministries of public security, defence, transport, industry and trade and foreign affairs must cooperate with localities to ensure social security and order and the smooth flow of goods during the holidays while closely following the COVID-19 preventive measures.

He also requested localities to accelerate the vaccination drive and ensure people in the high-risk groups, including older adults and people with underlying conditions, are fully vaccinated. He said it is also essential to ensure a sufficient supply of medicine, medical supply and equipment.

As of Monday morning, Việt Nam reported more than 11.5 million cases of COVID-19 infections, of which more than 92 have recovered, and nearly 43,200 people have died, according to the country’s health ministry.

More than 265.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered, including over 223.2 million shots to people aged 18 and above, said the ministry. Việt Nam has recorded COVID-19 infections with Omicron BA.4, BA.5, BA.2.12.1, BA.2.74 and XBB sub-variants. VNS