Hanoi (VNA)ꦚ – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 23 sent an official dispatch on strengtheningCOVID-19 prevention and control measures nationwide to Secretaries of municipaland provincial Party Committees, Chairpersons of People’s Committees of centrally-runcities and provinces, ministers and heads of ministry-level and governmental agencies.

As the pandemic withDelta variant has been developing complicatedly, especially in Ho Chi Minh City and southernlocalities, the PM asked them to direct and increase public involvement in thefight against the pandemic, considering communes, wards and townships as “fortresses” and people as “soldiers”. They were alsorequired to pool the drastic involvement of the entire political system anduphold the role of mass, religious and other organisations, as well as the businesscommunity in the work. As COVID-19prevention and control is an urgent and long-term task, the PM urged bringinginto play the spirit of solidarity and unity, democracy and collectivebrainpower while closely following the reality. In the official dispatch,he said social distancing is a decisive factor to minimise infections so thatit is a must to curb the pandemic during this “golden time” as soon as possiblevia rapid testing on a large scale, timely quarantine and suitable treatment asguided by the Health Ministry. To reduce deathsas a top priority, localities were assigned to fully prepare facilities totreat COVID-19 patients, especially those in serious conditions. Provinces and cities applying social distancing measures were requested to ensure enough food and essentialservices for residents, especially those of vulnerable groups. The PM orderedstepping up “vaccine diplomacy” strategy to have the most vaccines at theearliest time, offering all possible support for vaccine research, technologytransfer and production, and carrying out free, safe, timely and effectivevaccinations without discrimination to any certain type of vaccines. With ensuringsocial safety and order being an important task, the government leader requested enhancingpandemic prevention and control in detention and rehabilitation establishments, andguaranteeing security and safety on cyber space. The dispatchclearly said that localities must take responsibility for following preventionand control measures in line with the Party Central Committee’s directions, stepping up communications campaigns, ensuring smooth and timelytransportation of goods, and maintaining production and trade in areas whereconditions allow. The GovernmentOffice must oversee the implementation of the official dispatch and promptly reportarising problems to the Prime Minister./.