Vietnamese Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long has asserted that Ho Chi Minh City must activate its COVID-19 prevention and control system at the highest level amidst rising risks.

Minister Long and Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh convened a meeting with Ho Chi Minh City authorities on Wednesday to discuss COVID-19 prevention and control measures in the current context.

During the event, Deputy PM Binh stressed that the southern metropolis had to ensure there would be no more community-based infection.

As the pandemic situation in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia has become very serious, the risk of COVID-19 spread from illegal entry is extremely high, the deputy premier continued.

He requested Ho Chi Minh City to continue considering coronavirus prevention a key mission and not to let its guard down under any circumstances.

According to Minister Long, Ho Chi Minh City must activate its COVID-19 prevention and control system at the highest level, even higher than that in border provinces.

Aside from vaccination plans, all cases of illegal entry must be handled promptly, he stated.

Local authorities have to take assertive actions to suspend unnecessary crowded events and tighten supervision at entertainment facilities, restaurants, hotels, and other venues that attract a large crowd.

The city is required to maintain its COVID-19 testing capacity at 50,000 samples per day while reviewing medical equipment, protective gear, medicine, and emergency facilities.

“Preparations for the worst-case scenario must be made, while necessary measures must be ready to quarantine any suspected COVID-19 case, trace direct contacts, and prevent the virus from spreading into the community,” the health minister elaborated.

Local authorities must make sure there are sufficient quarantine facilities and prevent viral transmission within these venues, he added.

Vietnam has documented 2,865 COVID-19 cases as of Thursday afternoon, with 2,516 recoveries and 35 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health.

The country has gone over one month without detecting any community transmission, but the government has urged everyone to stay on high alert as the virus is taking a toll on neighboring countries.

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