An online briefing of the HCM City Steering Committee for COVID-19 Disease Prevention and Control held last week. Periodic inspections of COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control measures will be conducted across the city. — Photo www.sggp.org.vn

HCM CITY — Lê Thanh Liêm, deputy chairman of the HCM City People's Committee, has asked departments, sectors and relevant agencies to conduct random and periodic inspections of COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control measures across the city.

Speaking at an online briefing held on Friday, Liêm asked local officials to strictly comply with the Prime Minister’s Directive No 16/CT-TTg on the implementation of urgent measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as well as the city’s social distancing order. 

“Implementing measures in disease prevention and control can be a long and continuous process, ” Liêm said, adding that all relevant agencies and localities must not be negligent in enforcing disease prevention and control measures. 

He asked the city’s Department of Industry and Trade to work with district-level agencies to inspect the operation of wholesale markets, trade centres, supermarkets and shopping malls.

These markets must strictly comply with preventive measures, and buyers and sellers must keep a safe distance of at least two metres between each other. 

Local authorities must also check crowds of people gathering for morning exercise at parks and public places. Gatherings of more than two people are banned until at least April 22.

Liêm asked the Department of Education and Training to devise a set of criteria for disease prevention and control in schools.

The municipal People’s Committee will soon issue an official document on criteria for disease prevention and control to be used after the reopening of restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, karaoke parlours, cinemas, theatres and other entertainment places. 

Ngô Minh Châu, deputy chairman of the city People's Committee, praised the efforts of departments, relevant agencies and localities in following the PM’s Directive and the city’s orders.

“The city is proactively implementing measures and seeing positive results in the fight against COVID-19,” he said.

The city has fined people who have spread false information and fake news about the COVID-19 pandemic, and people and businesses that have made face masks that do not meet quality standards.

Fines have also been given to people who were not wearing face masks in public or not complying with regulations that restrict  leaving home. 

However, many people are still gathering in groups at coffee shops, and exercising and not wearing face masks in public places. 

In addition, many sellers and buyers at traditional markets are not keeping a safe distance from each other. 

Châu asked all districts to regularly check the implementation of measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

“Any carelessness or false information may destroy the city’s efforts through this long process,” he said.

The police  will also take measures to prevent illegal motorcycle racing on streets that are now uncrowded because of the pandemic. — VNS