Restricted area for people who have gone through regions hit by COVID-19 at the Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport. — Photo thanhnien.vn

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc on Monday stressed the importance of not discriminating against those who have gone through regions hit by COVID-19 in Việt Nam and the need to step up quarantine efforts, saying they help control the epidemic.
Speaking at a meeting between Cabinet members and the national steering committee for COVID-19 prevention and control in Hà Nội, the leader asked the committee and agencies to stay vigilant and take drastic actions to fight the epidemic.
“Protecting people’s life and health is the leading task at this time,” he said, adding that public health must be ensured even at the expense of some economic benefits in the short term, given the worldwide spread of the disease.
“This is the highest requirement from the Prime Minister, and Party and State leaders to agencies and localities,” he said.
PM Phúc also ordered more equipment to serve the fight against the coronavirus, restriction of trips to and from virus-affected areas and intensification of communication to raise public awareness of the epidemic.
“The Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s spirit of ‘Cohesive and Responsive’ should be carried forward in the fight against COVID-19,” he said, calling for efforts from individuals, organisations and localities.
As for huge losses facing tourism, aviation and other sectors, the PM pledged that the Government will roll out monetary and fiscal measures and other incentives to facilitate production and business activities. He also called for enhanced use of online transactions to prevent the epidemic.
No new COVID-19 infections have been recorded in Việt Nam since February 13, though 115 people suspected of being infected are being quarantined.
Those who come from the Republic of Korea, Iran and Italy which are experiencing the alarming spread of the virus are being quarantined for 14 days, the committee said, adding that it has warned people against travelling to the countries.
At the same time, the committee asked agencies at airports to enhance co-ordination to speed up entry procedures to swiftly conduct medical quarantines. — VNS