Vietnam restarts economy, maintains high vigilance to detect, treat recurrence

Effective model

Over the three weeks of social distancing under Prime Ministerial Instruction 16/CT-TTg dated March 31, 2020, the country identified and dealt with local outbreaks and contained the spread of community transmission. Due to a concerted, top-down campaign, most confirmed patients have been successfully treated and no deaths have been recorded.

The world praised Vietnam’s effective efforts in Covid-19 prevention and control. At a teleconference held by the Indonesian Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation regarding the role of parliaments in the international fight against Covid-19, leaders hailed Vietnam as an effective model in fighting Covid-19.

However, the risk of new outbreaks remains high, adversely affecting Vietnam’s socioeconomic situation and people’s livelihoods, PM Phuc said, adding that the government’s top priority is safeguarding public health.

PM Phuc issued Prime Ministerial Instruction 19/CT-TTg on measures to keep the country clear of Covid-19. Accordingly, Vietnam will continue to implement measures identifying, quarantining, and suppressing outbreaks while effectively carrying out treatment to minimize the number of possible deaths. The government has assigned the health sector to evaluate community immunity in order to estimate the risks of new outbreaks and predict transmission patterns.

Restarting the economy

To boost the economy, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and other relevant agencies must expedite export contracts with member countries under the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and ensure a sufficient supply of goods, especially those in which Vietnam enjoys comparative strength, to prepare for the re-opening of European markets. The ministry and other agencies must continue to review supply and transport of raw materials to ensure sufficient input for production and exports. Measures must be sought to develop the domestic market, especially e-commerce and retail systems, including stimulus measures to boost consumption. Essential goods must be in full supply, while domestic tourism can take steps to resume activity.

Based on Prime Ministerial Instruction 19/CT-TTg, Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh has asked departments and agencies to review exports in each sector in order to devise specific plans to help businesses stabilize production and prepare for boosting exports when the pandemic is controlled. In addition, departments and agencies should maintain close coordination with localities, businesses, associations and industries on ongoing developments.

The government, all ministries, departments and agencies are reviewing and implementing financial packages to support businesses and people severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. A VND62 trillion social security package is one of the major aid programs for individuals. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, and local governments are urgently carrying out social welfare measures and distributing Covid-19 relief aid to the right people in a timely manner, ensuring transparency.