Gov't spends over US$766 million on Covid-19 response

The total figure includes nearly VND12.7 trillion (nearly US$548 million) in financial support for 12.78 million people affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Finance said Monday.

It is globally recognized that Viet Nam has demonstrated one of the world’s most successful responses to the COVID-19 pandemic because of its early, proactive, transparent, whole-of-political system and whole-of-society action led by the Government.

When the first two COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Viet Nam in the second half of January, the Government started to take precautionary measures, strengthening entry screening and extending the Tet holiday (Lunar New Year) for schools.

As China confirmed the first death from the new coronavirus on January 11, the Southeast Asian country tightened border control and quickly began to isolate people coming from infected areas and quarantine those with symptoms of Covid-19 in hospitals, where they were tested for the virus.

As of 6:05 pm on November 9, Viet Nam reported 1,215 Covid-19 cases, including 1,087 recoveries and 35 deaths.

In addition, the Government allocated VND 3.17 trillion (nearly US$ 137 million) from national budget reserve to help central localities overcome consequences of natural disaster and African Swine fever.

The ministry said it has submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister to approve a package of VND 1.4 trillion (US$ 60 million) to help repair houses damaged by floods in central Viet Nam.

The ministry also said budget revenue in the first ten months this year stood at VND1.13 quadrillion (US$48.7 billion), down 10.3% against the same period last year./.

By Kim Loan

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