Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam has basically brought the COVID-19 pandemic undercontrol, with production, business, and daily activities now experiencing a“new normal”, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam told a meeting of the NationalSteering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control on May 6.

The disease remainsa complex matter outside of the country, however, with tens of thousands of newinfections and thousands of fatalities each day, Dam noted.

He stressed theimportance of maintaining close management over everyone entering the country, tocontain the spread of the coronavirus.

The Steering Committeerequested the military and public security and health sectors continue consolidatingall mechanisms and tools, especially those in information technology, to immediatelyquarantine new cases in the community as soon as they are detected.

Disease preventionmeasures should be loosened based on scientific grounds, such as the mode of transmissionof the virus and the probabilities of pathogens in the community.

According tohealth experts, while it cannot be claimed that there are no pathogens inVietnam at this time, the probability of their existence is very low. Those whotest positive again cannot transmit it to others.

The Steering Committeetherefore asked the health sector to continue caring for and monitoringpatients as well as those given the all-clear, to ensure community safety.

People mustcontinue to wear face masks in public, maintain a distance from others of atleast one metre, and regularly wash their hands with antibacterial soap orsanitiser.

According to thecommittee, students are not required to wear face masks in classrooms but are advisedto wear them during breaks and to avoid contact with friends in other classes.Air conditioners can be used in classrooms but doors and windows should be openedat certain times to facilitate air circulation.

The Steering Committeealso requested that offices, factories, supermarkets, markets, hospitals, andrestaurants maintain prevention measures.

Non-essentialservices can resume, except for clubs and karaoke bars, if social distancingmeasures can be ensured.

Meanwhile, thecommittee said social distancing measures can be eased for public passengertransport, including aviation, while other prevention measures must bemaintained.
Vietnam has reportedno new COVID-19 infections within the community for 20 days in a row to the morningof May 6, the Steering Committee reported.

The national countstill stands at 271 cases, of which 131 were imported and quarantined uponarrival.

A total of 232patients have recovered or been discharged from hospital, while the remainderare being treated at centrally-run and provincial medical facilities. Most arein a stable condition./.