Health experts in Vietnam have warned about the Covid-19 outbreak during the upcoming winter, especially in the northern region, Kinh Te & Do Thi quoted Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam as saying at a meeting of the National Steering Committee for Covid -19 Prevention and Control on October 15.

Experts have assessed that the world has been experiencing a long outbreak of Covid-19, Mr. Dam emphasized, adding that although the disease in Vietnam has been controlled, staying alert is a necessity, as cold and dry winter conditions favor the transmission of the virus.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam speaks at the meeting. Photo: Kinhtedothi.vn

Europe is facing a new outbreak as the number of new Covid-19 cases has been rising sharply there. Many European countries have re-imposed lock down measures in an effort to contain the resurgence, he noted.

Therefore, the deputy PM requested serious management and quarantine of people entering the country. All incoming people have to be put under medical surveillance for at least 28 days from the date of entry.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Health (MoH) has drafted a guide on entry protocols, including sanitary control and quarantine of those who enter Vietnam from countries deemed safe on commercial flights.

At present, people entering Vietnam have to be tested for Covid-19 three times, instead of twice regulated previously, so as to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The MoH is managing information of incoming people and will provide it to local authorities as well as health and police forces to facilitate the monitoring of these persons in their localities, Mr. Dam added.

The Committee also stressed the need to facilitate the entry of foreign entrepreneurs, investors, workers, and experts.

Given the rapid spread of Covid-19 around the world, Director of the MoH’s Department of Preventive Medicine Dang Quang Tan said disease prevention and control measures still need to be further enforced, especially communication works should be enhanced to raise public awareness.

Mr. Tan recommended that big and populous localities like Hanoi, Danang and Khanh Hoa should make masking up compulsory and fine anyone who refuses to do so.

As of October 16, Vietnam has gone through 44 consecutive days without new community infections. It has reported 1,124 cases of Covid-19 so far, including 1,030 recoveries and 35 fatalities.