(HBO) – The People’s Committee of Hoa Binh province issued Document 446/UBND-KGVX on March 26, requesting the intensification of COVID-19 prevention and control efforts.

Recently, the efforts in Hoa Binh have been carried out in a synchronous manner at the request of the Government, the Ministry of Health and the provincial administration. However, the pandemic’s complex developments have required more measures be taken to deal with, which is now at the third level.

To ensure effective disease prevention and control, the chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, who is also head of the provincial steering committee for the COVID-19 fight, has given directions to sectors and localities.

Accordingly, directors of provincial departments, heads of sectors and organisations, and chairpersons of the district-level People’s Committees have to promote communication activities to raise the awareness and sense of responsibility among cadres, civil servants, public employees, labourers and people about disease prevention measures and social distancing. In particular, they must bring into play the role of leaders and the forces directly involved in the disease combat; carry out anti-coronavirus measures in a more drastic and effective manner; and persist in the principles of preventing transmission, detecting infected cases, quarantining suspected cases and related persons, specifying affected areas, eliminating hotbeds, and treating patients.

They need to order relevant forces of the army, public security, health care and other forces to take more drastic actions so as not to let the disease spread uncontrollably. Besides, they have to strictly deal with any persons who evade filling in or lie in health declarations, or refuse to abide by regulated quarantine. If necessary, such cases must be investigated and prosecuted in line with laws.

Authorities were also requested to promptly review the people who boarded the flights with COVID-19 cases announced by the Health Ministry, those receiving check-up and treatment at the Hanoi-based Bach Mai Hospital over the last 14 days, and other stipulated cases in order to classify and quarantine them.

Meanwhile, the district-level People’s Committees need to promptly perfect detailed response plans which must match respective levels of the outbreak in their localities.

The provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism was asked to coordinated with other relevant sectors and agencies to build plans for using local hotels, reports and accommodation establishments as concentrated quarantine facilities that collect charges. These facilities will be prioritised for quarantining foreigners when necessary.

The provincial Department of Transport was assigned to work with relevant parties to set up checkpoints at coach and boat stations and seriously carry out disease prevention measures on public transport vehicles as recommended by health agencies.

Additionally, members of the provincial steering committee for COVID-19 prevention and control need to keep promoting and conducting monthly and unannounced examinations of the anti-epidemic work in the localities they are in charge of.

Authorities should also encourage organisations and individuals to contribute resources to the efforts via the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, while not receiving assistance in kind at concentrated quarantine facilities.

The provincial Department of Health, which is the permanent body of the steering committee, has to speed up the procurement of medical equipment and materials for disease prevention and control. It was also told to promptly propose plans on preparing contemporary hospitals for the case that there are a large number of COVID-19 patients, more than 150.

The chairperson of the provincial People’s Committee requested all agencies and units to exert efforts, bring into play their sense of responsibility, coordinate closely with one another, and solve issues in a timely manner so as to ensure an effective COVID-19 prevent and control./.