How would you evaluate the risk of the Covid-19 pandemic spread in Vietnam?

Looking at the current situation of Covid-19 globally, especially in the region over the past 24 hours, we are very concerned about the risk of Covid-19 infection in Vietnam. It can be seen around the world that all the subsequent outbreaks are usually larger, stronger and more devastating than the ones before.

For example, over the past 24 hours, India reported 340,000 new infections while the number in Cambodia was over 600 cases of Covid-19.

Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long. Photo: VGP

In Laos, within 24 hours, the number of infections detected surpassed the highest ever number of Vietnam. The situation is very worrying.

In Vietnam, we focus on implementing all measures to prevent and actively take the initiative to control the pandemic.

Vietnam is facing a very high risk of illegal inmigration into Vietnam. What are solutions for the issue?

The National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control and the Ministry of Health are on highest alert for the possible fourth Covid-19 outbreak in the country due to the risk of transmission from outside. Many Vietnamese people are ignoring and not active in complying with preventive measures.

The government and the prime minister have continuously issued instructions to strengthen the Covid-19 prevention and control, and drastically implement measures to prevent importing infection into Vietnam.

We also prepared the worst-case scenarios for Covid-19, especially in the southwestern border area, and issued urgent instructions to control well the situation in the country.

Why did the ministry decide to set up a field hospital in Ha Tien - Kien Giang?

We evaluate the Southwest region as a key area because of the Covid-19 infection in Cambodia and the possibility of case penetration into Vietnam. Although we have done well to control the land border, the sea border control is a challenge for all provinces in this region and the import of infection is highly imminent.

Therefore, when inspecting the southern province of Kien Giang, especially Ha Tien, the ministry found it necessary to set up a field hospital in this area to be able to proactively and actively respond to the pandemic when a bad scenario occurs.

Minister Nguyen Thanh Long is working with border forces in Kien Giang province. Photo: MOH

What scenarios has the ministry prepared if the outbreak occurs in the region?

The ministry has set up five task groups led by the minister and four deputy ministers to all provinces/cities in the region to review all issues related to the Covid-19 prevention and control.

We have prepared scenarios if there is a community case in the area.

What are recommendations about the current situation in Vietnam?

One of the successful lessons in the fight against Covid-19 is the active participation of people. However, as Vietnam has not recorded any cases of Covid-19 in the community, many people go out without wearing face masks and implementing 5K measures in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s guideline. We are extremely concerned about this situation.

We recommend that all provinces and cities, especially those in border areas, must control well the immigration situation, mobilize local people to participate in reporting to local authorities about illegal cases in order to prevent the coronavirus from being imported into Vietnam.

Thank you for your time.