PM Phuc: Next 15 days are crucial in COVID-19 fight

It is highly likely that the next 15 days will decide whether or not the COVID-19 breaks out on a national scale. It is therefore vital that everybody, including every house, every business, every street, every village, and every city, stays firm to slow the spread of the epidemic, PM Phuc said during a regular cabinet meeting held in Hanoi.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc says the next 15 days are crucial in fight against COVID-19

He recalled the recent appeals for national unity aimed at fighting the epidemic made by Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong, adding that he himself has already issued two decrees regarding necessary preventive measures, including one that imposes a social distancing policy in public.

Social distancing means that people must maintain a certain distance apart from one another whilst also not travelling from one community to another. Although it is not a social lockdown, the measure does move to restrict travel in an attempt to limit community infection, the PM explained.

He called for solutions to be put forward in a bid to maintain production and supply of daily necessities and medical equipment throughout the 15-day period, while requesting that citizens stay indoors and work remotely as much as possible. These measures will serve to slow or halt the spread of the virus among the community.

If these measures are not implemented in an effective manner, then people’s health will likely be badly affected, threatening the lives of many ordinary citizens, said the PM.

The regular Cabinet meeting for April takes place when the coronavirus evolves in a complex manner

The government leader praised the population, especially medical workers, soldiers, and the police, for their hard work in recent days to treat patients, quarantine suspected cases, whilst maintaining social order and security.

He thanked organisations and inpiduals for uniting in the COVID-19 fight by raising over VND600 billion in just a few days.

Never before has the spirit and strong determination of all people been seen during peacetime, with the national levels of unity to combat the epidemic being particularly strong in recent days, noted PM Phuc.

Citing the April 2020 Update by the World Bank which states that the country has stood firm amid external shocks caused by the COVID-19, PM Phuc reaffirmed the government’s strong resolve to ensure social security is maintained, hurdles are removed for business, and public investment is increased in the wake of the epidemic.