Social distancing order to be extended beyond April 15?

Social distancing is considered an effective solution for containing the coronavirus. In the picture, Wholesale Dong Xuan market in Hanoi has closed, with posters on walls making health recommendations

Nationwide social distancing measures first came into effect after the Prime Minister signed a decree to implement them between April 1 and April 15 in an attempt to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) among the wider community.

The signing of the order means that all residents are advised to remain home and work remotely when possible. Furthermore, citizens must wear face masks when in public, make an effort to stand two metres away from others, whilst recreational venues and non-essential businesses are forced to close, with the exception of supermarkets and pharmacies.

With the country approximately two weeks into the mandatory period, low numbers of infections being recorded each day serve as evidence that the drastic measures have so far proved to be effective. Health statistics indicate that COVID-19 infections nationwide between April 1-7 fell by more than half in comparison to the previous week.

“We have not missed the ‘golden’ stage to apply the social distancing order at the right time,” says Dr. Tran Dac Phu, senior adviser to the Ministry of Health. “If the policy had been introduced later, the epidemic could have spread wider among the community to an extent where the situation is out of control like in many other countries.”

Dr. Nguyen Vu Trung, vice director of the Central Hospital of Tropical Diseases, points out that while there is currently no COVID-19 vaccine, social distancing can be considered a decisive weapon in the fight against the virus. Indeed, the effort involves the participation of the entire political system, all citizens, and the whole community as a whole.

However, there is an ongoing debate as to whether or not to extend the order beyond April 15. While Dr. Phu notes that several countries have imposed a lockdown for an entire month, PhD Huynh The Du, a public administration lecturer at Fulbright Vietnam University, argues that with the nation being an open economy, it cannot close its doors to the world for a long period of time.

“The rationale behind the achieved results is that Vietnam’s primary goal is to combat the epidemic through administrative orders. This is one of the country’s strengths,” says PhD Du, “But the crux of the matter is to work towards multi-goals, that is alongside minimising risks, Vietnam must maintain normal social activities and ensure resources necessary for economic development.”

The lecturer believes that the government’s social distancing measures have served to build up confidence among citizens that the country is moving in the right direction in the COVID-19 fight. As a result, it is extremely important for the government to properly assess the current situation and propose feasible solutions that can meet the expectations of citizens, whilst simultaneously protecting their health.