Gov't demands measures to prevent outbreak of infectious Coronavirus

A security staff controls equipment measuring body temperature of passengers at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.

According to the World Trade Organization said Thursday that it was too early to declare the outbreak of the novel virus in China a public health emergency of international concern but many about the virus remain unknown and no vaccine has been available.

China has locked down Wuhan, the provincial capital of Hubei, in an unprecedented effort to curb the spread of the epidemics after it resulted in 25 deaths, according to China’s state news agency Xinhua.

As of Thursday midnight, 549 cumulative confirmed cases of the new coronavirus pneumonia had been reported in the province, with 24 deaths, the news agency reported.

To prevent the epidemics, PM Phuc tasked the Ministry of Health to conduct strict screening on passengers at airports, seaports, and land crossings. Those passengers suspected of infecting Coronavirus shall be kept isolated timely.

He asked the Ministry of Information and Communications, Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate closely with the Ministry of Health to provide related information and travel advices to Vietnamese citizens.

Meanwhile, Chairmen of provincial-level People’s Committees were asked to strictly follow instructions of the Ministry of Health and ensure adequate supply of medicines, vehicles, equipment for prevention and control of the virus./.

By Kim Anh