Gov’t reaffirms dual goals amid COVID-19 outbreak

The Government assessed that thanks to positive and drastic engagement of the entire political system under the sprit of combating epidemic like combating  enemy, Viet Nam initially controlled the COVID-19 outbreak. The Government hailed great efforts of all levels and sectors especially doctors, medical staff, the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control. 

The Government forecast that the COVID-19 epidemic would develop complicatedly and cause heavy impacts on the global and regional economies, including Viet Nam’s big partners; and influence various fields and sectors in Viet Nam. 

The Government asked ministries, sectors, localities, medical facilities, organizations, and individuals to seriously isolate passengers who come from or transit through the epidemic-infected areas to Viet Nam. The Ministry of Health, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, and localities were tasked to fulfill assigned tasks and put forward measures for COVID-19 combat. 

The Government asked the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the State Bank of Viet Nam to review and update development scenarios; keep a close watch on market development; and control inflation. 

Relevant ministries, sectors, and localities were asked to keep a close watch on international and domestic situations; remove difficulties; cut unnecessary costs for businesses and people; timely offset damages in order to restore and promote production and business activities. 

The State Bank of Viet Nam was asked to persue monetary policies in an active and flexible manner; stabilize interest rates; consolidate foreign reserve; restructure debt payment deadlines; offer interest rate reduction and exemption. 

The Ministry of Finance was urged to work with relevant ministries and agencies to extend deadlines of tax and land lease payment for businesses directly affected by COVID-19 outbreak. 

The Ministry of Labor, Invalid, and Social Affairs (MOLISA) was asked to review labor demand and employing in order to resolve labor shortage due to COVID-19 impacts. The MOLISA is responsible for temporally suspending labor contracts for foreign workers who come from COVID-19 infected areas.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism is in charge of promoting tourism./.

By Kim Anh