The building where a confirmed COVID-19 case live in Hai Bà Trưng District was under lockdown on Friday morning. —VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Tùng

HÀ NỘI — Following an outbreak of new community COVID-19 cases in the north of the country, Hà Nội will test all people who have returned from Quảng Ninh Province and Chí Linh City, Hải Dương Province since January 14. The city expects to complete the testing by Monday, February 1.

Hà Nội People’s Committee Chairman Chu Ngọc Anh on Thursday night directed the city’s departments, agencies and People’s Committees at all levels to prepare for any COVID-19 response scenario.

The move was made after the city confirmed a community COVID-19 case in Cầu Giấy District and suspects a link to the COVID-19 resurgence in Quảng Ninh Province and Chí Linh City, while the 13th National Party Congress is taking place in the city.

The chairman asked for tightening of COVID-19 prevention and control to ensure the safety of congress participants.

The Department of Health was asked to co-operate with local authorities to trace, identify, offer testing and monitor the health of people who have returned from the outbreak-affected areas and those who have been in contact with returnees.

The department would also closely work with the Health Ministry’s Preventive Medicine Department and health departments of other localities, particularly Hải Dương and Quảng Ninh, to trace suspected cases.

Local hospitals and healthcare units were asked to tighten disease prevention and control measures.

The city chairman asked for tightened controls on entry, health monitoring and quarantine, especially measures to prevent infections in quarantine areas or spread to the community.

Agencies were also asked to instruct people to strictly follow the health ministry’s 5K (in Vietnamese) message: Khẩu trang (face mask) – Khử khuẩn (disinfection) – Khoảng cách (distance) – Không tụ tập (no gathering) – Khai báo y tế (health declaration).

Authorities also called on people report suspected cases of illegal entries or violations in disease prevention and control.

Police would co-operate with relevant units to tighten inspections, detection and prevention of illegal entries. The army would continue to help the health department, districts and townships to arrange sufficient quarantine areas in case the pandemic resurges in the city.

Media outlets were asked to help people understand and implement requirements and recommendations by the health ministry, National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control and city authorities.

The transport department will increase oversight at coach and railway stations, as well as over public transportation.

Coach operators have to record information of passengers who travel on inter-provincial routes, particularly those going to or from localities with reported community infections.

The department on Thursday ordered the suspension of road transport between the capital city and the northern province of Quảng Ninh.

At the same time, the department asked all transport services to strictly apply measures to prevent the spread of the virus, by requesting drivers and passengers to wear face masks throughout their trips and providing hand sanitisers.

The Department of Culture and Sports would review and consult the city People’s Committee about the organisations of festivals and events.

The Department of Industry and Trade will introduce inspections at shopping centres, supermarkets, markets and convenience stores. Shoppers must wear face masks and keep a safe distance.

 Việt Nam recorded nine new community infections of COVID-19 over the past 12 hours as of 6am on January 29.

Among those, there is one living in Hà Nội’s Hai Bà Trưng district. The patient had been in close contact with a security worker at the Vân Đồn International Airport, who tested positive on January 27. —VNS