National Steering Committee: COVID-19 regulations can’t be loosened as risk remains

The National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control emphasized on April 13 the need to keep regulations in place as there is a high risk that the disease may spread further.

At its latest meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam who is also the head of the committee, the committee said that monitoring those having had contact with cases of infection and the introduction of social distancing measures are the most effective solutions in tackling COVID-19, together with the continued implementation of basic anti-epidemic principles in prevention, detection, quarantining, zoning, and treatment.

According to the committee, the Prime Minister’s Directive No. 16/CT-TTg on the distancing was implemented well at the beginning but in recent days more people have been seen on the streets.

It asked that people seriously follow the regulation, despite the fact it has a major effect on their daily life and businesses.

Authorities were directed to intensify communications to encourage people to obey regulations relating to distancing and to strictly punish any violations.

The steering committee also noted that when Directive 16 expires on April 15, it will propose the Prime Minister issue a new version that will retain solutions such as wearing face masks, maintaining a certain distance from others, and strengthening regulations on tracing cases of infection and those having had close contact with them.

Participants suggested the application of IT to supervise cases of infection and the implementation of physical distancing regulations.
It is also important to promote non-cash payments for shopping and closely control places such as houses of worship, relic sites, tourism sites, trade villages, and markets, to contain the spread of the disease.

Participants also emphasized the necessity to maintain social welfare policies, with a focus on vulnerable groups, and to consider loosening regulations over the production and trade of basic necessities.

They also asked face mask producers to export such goods only after production meets domestic demand.