Hanoi donated Hai Duong province with VND2 billion (US$ 86,894) and 50,000 face masks for fighting against the Covid-19 pandemic on Feburary 18.

This is part of the city's plan supporting Hai Duong province, which has become Vietnam’s biggest coronavirus hotspot for several weeks, to overcome difficulties and damages caused by the outbreak.

Speaking at a meeting held in Hanoi on February 17, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Vuong Dinh Hue said: "The municipal departments of Health and Industry and Trade will connect supply and demand to ensure circulation of agricultural products in backlog in the two Covid-19 epicenters of Hai Duong and Quang Ninh."

In response to the municipal Party chief, the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade has cooperated with its peers from Hai Duong and Quang Ninh provinces to sell 300 tons of vegetables and fruits in the distribution system in Hanoi and stores of Hanoi retailers in other provinces.

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Vuong Dinh Hue speaks at the meeting. Photo: Viet Thanh

Acting Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade Tran Thi Phuong Lan said that due to impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, the sale of agricultural and aquatic products in provinces of Quang Ninh and Hai Duong has encourtered a lot of difficulties.

Hanoi also supports Quang Ninh province in selling seafood including fish, oyster, shrimp, and crab in the city's distribution systems, Lan added.

Hai Duong is where one of the first two cases in Vietnam's latest Covid-19 outbreak was detected on January 28. The other was in neighboring Quang Ninh province.

Since then the province has had 557 cases, the infection has spread to 13 other cities and provinces, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Hanoi spares no effort to put Covid-19 pandemic under control

Hanoi will prioritize resources in terms of budget and time to put the pandemic under control and ensure safety for all local residents.

He said that the effectiveness of the pandemic prevention should not be sacrificed for economic growth.

“However, Hanoi must speed up all measures, especially tracing, detecting, quarantining, zoning, and stamping out the outbreaks in order to lift social distancing measures and promote economic development,” the municipal Party chief stressed.

He also asked all levels and sectors to keep strengthening inspection of the Covid-19 prevention, with a focus on docks, bus stations, airports, commercial centers, public transport vehicles, among others.

"Besides, relevant authorities need to promptly provide accurate and truthful information about the Covid-19 pandemic to media and local residents," the municipal Party chief requested.