National Assembly, the country’s highest legislative body, on July 28 agreed to allow the Prime Minister and his cabinet to make decisions, which have not yet been legalized, to meet the requirements of the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic from now until December 31, 2022.

Lawmakers make the poll at the National Assembly's session on July 28. Photo: NA

Special mechanisms and measures to be imposed within the PM’s power include those on restricting vehicles and people in some places at certain periods of time; deploying forces to ensure safety and security in affected areas; approving lists of drug, medical equipment, and investing in facilities served in the battle.

The Government is required to ensure social security, employment, health care, especially for people with contributions to the country, the poor, women, children, the elderly, vulnerable groups, frontline forces; conduct tax exemption and reduction for businesses affected by the pandemic.

The Prime Minister and his government have to report the implementation of the measures at the National Assembly (NA)’s latest plenum.

Depending on the reality, the Government could ask for the extension of the measures at the NA’s plenary meeting in October 2022.

Vietnam's Covid-19 cases. Source: MoH. Chart: Minh Vu

Daily infections

Vietnam confirms 6,555 locally transmitted coronavirus infections on Wednesday, including two-thirds in Ho Chi Minh City. Some 23% of the country's total 120,819 have recovered while deaths rise to 630.

The hardest-hit localities remain Ho Chi Minh (HCMC) and its neighbors. The most populous city’s caseload has reached 77,189, followed by Binh Duong 9,540, Dong Nai nearly 3,000, Dong Thap 2,641, and Tien Giang 1,855.

It’s a good news today that more than 4,500 people have recovered while the vaccination has been sped up.

So far, more than 5.07 million doses of vaccines have been administered with more than 451,000 people fully vaccinated.

Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Truong Son (center) and leaders of Cho Ray Hospital, the leading hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Zing

Ho Chi Minh City

The city has built four more makeshift hospitals, totaling 12 of its kind, in addition with dozens of hospitals at all levels.

Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Truong Son highlighted the treatment of Covid-19 patients amid the rising infections. He said good care would be very important as it takes just few hours from mild symptoms to severe condition. 

The city has sped up the massive vaccination and will continue the injection in the coming time.

Deputy Secretary of the municipal Party’s Committee Phan Van Mai said the city would likely conduct vaccination after 6:00 PM. People aged above 65 and those with underlying diseases will be vaccinated in hospitals.

HCMC is undergoing the third week of partial lockdown and the curfew from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM daily. But the local government might need two more weeks for the restrictions, Mai revealed today.

In the same move, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked the authorized agencies and the local government to see how effective the restrictions are to adjust the measures, including the possible imposition of measures stricter than Directive 16.

The Directive 16 mandates a shelter-in-place order except for emergencies and purchase of drug and food.

Vaccines gather at a military store in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Zing

Hanoi

Hanoi today continued reporting dozens of infections and the local authorities vowed to tighten control over the compliance of restrictions.

On the fourth day of the partial lockdown, police increased patrols all day night. More checkpoints were deployed and more fines are given to violators.

“It’s necessary to increase the patrols and checkpoints citywide as well as impose fines on people who infringe the regulations,” said Secretary of the Hanoi Party’s Committee Dinh Tien Dung.

He said the city would expand the use of shopping stamps in the whole city to minimize gathering in wet markets. On July 27, this model appeared in Tay Ho District, basing on the odd-even day scheme.

Police at a Covid-19 checkpoint in Hanoi on July 28. Photo: Kinh Te Xa Hoi