Hà Nội authorities isolated Trúc Bạch Street after a COVID-19 patient staying on the street was confirmed. — VNA/VNS Photo Thành Đạt

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội People’s Committee has ordered its subsidiaries to develop plans to quarantine a whole village or commune in case of emergency to control and prevent COVID-19.

Nguyễn Đức Chung, head of the city's People's Committee, issued Document No 854/UBND-KGVX on accelerating preventative measures over the SARS-CoV-2 virus outbreak including restricting the organisation of meetings and mass gatherings as well as applying IT solutions in administrative procedures, education and health declaration.

The Department of Health was asked to be in charge of coordinating medical facilities, zoning, inspecting and treating infected cases, arranging quarantine areas at hospitals to isolate people in close contact with COVID-19 patients and those returning from infected areas who suffer fever, cough and shortness of breath within 14 days.

The department was also urged to prepare quarantine facilities besides those of military and police, ensure medical supplies and instruct localities to build quarantine plans over villages and communes.

All people who spread fake news, triggering social panic are asked to be strictly handled, according to the document.

The Department of Tourism will work with hotels and lodging service providers to isolate occupants when needed.

In case foreigners who are kept in isolation want to leave Việt Nam, they will have to notify local authorities, undergo medical examination, wear masks, disinfect hands regularly and go to airports on private vehicles to limit contact with other people.

Districts’ People's Committees are responsible for collaborating with related agencies to identify lodging of all passengers on flight No VN0054 from London to Hà Nội on March 3 and people in close contact with them for quarantine. — VNS