nCov update: Gov’t chief calls for prompt solutions to reduce negative impacts on economy

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (standing) chairs a meeting on prevention and control of nCoV epidemic at the Government Office in Ha Noi on February 4, 2020. Photo: VGP

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The Government chief made the above statement while presiding over a meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

As the epidemic remains complicated, Phuc called for comprehensive measures, including acceptance of some economic losses to protect the lives and health of people.

At the same time, the PM also asked for active efforts to maintain growth pace by immediately taking solutions to reduce negative impacts caused by the epidemic on the economy.

The Ministry of Health is responsible for coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defense and localities to strictly follow quarantine measures against travellers from China in a bid to minimize infections.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security to create favorable conditions for Vietnamese to return home from China.

The Ministry of Public Security shall coordinate with ministries and border provinces to strictly control immigration at border gates and border crossings.

The Ministry of Transport shall create favorable conditions for Chinese nationals to return to their country and Vietnamese people shall not travel to the epidemic-hit regions in China.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said Viet Nam is imposing absolute quarantine for those contracting or suspected of having the virus.

Those who travelled to Viet Nam from the virus-hit regions in China shall be subject to 14-day quarantine, Long added.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Viet Nam confirmed the 10^th nCoV patient who is friend of a worker returning from China’s Wuhan.

The latest case, aged 42, is a woman in the northern province of Vinh Phuc. She met with the returning worker during the Lunar New Year holiday and developed high fever on January 31.

She has been quarantined at medical center of Binh Xuyen district and her conditions are now stable.

Other confirmed patients in Viet Nam include two Chinese nationals (a son and his father and the former has recovered and was discharged from Cho Ray hospital on Feb. 4), three members of a French family, and a US citizens transiting through Wuhan on January 15 on his way to Viet Nam from the US./.

By Quang Minh