Hanoi has taken effective measures against the increasingly-severe Covid-19 outbreak in the city, however putting the whole city under lock-down is not necessary, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung has said.

Speaking at an online meeting on May 10, Dung noted that Hanoi is in danger of another Covid-19 outbreak due to the rising coronavirus cases in the community.

Hanoi’s authorities have prepared anti-pandemic facilities, including medical equipment and essential goods worth VND194,000 billion (US$8.3 million) in line with the anticipation for the worst-case scenario of up to 30,000 Covid-19 infections across the country, Dung stressed.

A street in Hanoi is disinfected. Photo: Giang Huy

He added that heads of all level administrations are not allowed to be absent from their localities and they have to focus on the pandemic prevention and control. Irresponsible authorities will face punishment in case of the pandemic spread.

The municipal authorities will continue to coordinate with the Ministry of Health to monitor the situation as well as promptly supporting the health centers under lockdown due to Covid-19, Dung said.

Hanoi will also keep promoting its experiences and results, mobilize all resources and effective measures to prevent and control the pandemic while supporting production and business.

As of May 11, Hanoi has recorded 46 Covid-19 cases in the community in 11 districts, including Thuong Tin, Dong Anh, Phuc Tho, Soc Son, Gia Lam, Ha Dong, Bac Tu Liem, Thanh Xuan, Ba Dinh, Thanh Oai, Hai Ba Trung. The city has put 30 locations and nearly 25,000 people under quarantine.