PM Phuc orders strict punishments for social distancing offenders

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (center) presides over a meeting on COVID-19 prevention and control on April 9, 2020. Photo: VGP

Phuc said nearly 50% of global population have been requested to stay at home to help contain COVID-19 and Viet Nam is not the only country to employ social distancing.

Despite encouraging outcomes of the COVID-19 prevention and control, the Government chief warned that infection risk still remains, thus no one is allowed to be subjective.

Phuc also asked for focusing on manufacturing of medical equipment to increase testing and treatment capacity and for possible exports.

Viet Nam began 15-day social distancing campaign since April 1 following introduction of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s Directive No. 16 under which gatherings of more than two people are not allowed.

People are asked to not to stay at home and only go out for emergencies, buying food and medicine, and working at factories, production facilities and businesses that involve in trade in essential goods and services.

People must also maintain a distance of at least two meters from each other, according to the directive.

As of 6:30 pm on Thursday, Viet Nam confirmed 255 infection cases, of whom 128 have been cleared of the virus and exited hospitals./.

By Huong Giang