The Government leader asked the local authorities of the five wards and towns, which have seen complicated developments of COVID-19, to strictly follow regulations on social distancing and quarantine measures while ensuring the social welfare of local people.

He called for more drastic measures to ensure people’s access to medical services, speed up COVID-19 testing to detect infections in the community, and organise vaccination programmes in a safe and effective manner.

It is also necessary to ensure social order and security, and promote communication campaign to raise public awareness and encourage their participation in the fight against the pandemic, he stressed.

* The same day, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam joined Senior Lieutenant General Vo Minh Luong, who is Deputy Minister of National Defense and Head of the Government's Special Task Force on COVID-19 prevention and control in Ho Chi Minh City and southern localities, to inspect the implementation of COVID-19 response measures in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam visits a household in ward 14, Go Vap district. (Photo: VGP)

After visiting some local households in Ward 14, Go Vap District, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam had a working session with leaders of Go Vap District People's Committee.

He asked the district’s authorities to timely support COVID-19 patients undergoing home treatment so as to help reduce the number of cases that need to be hospitalised, thus easing the overload at hospitals.

* The Standing Board of the Hanoi municipal Party Committee has announced plans to introduce a new zonal system to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Accordingly, after September 6, areas designated as red zones (extremely high-risk areas) will continue restrictions and will apply tighter COVID-19 prevention measures when necessary.

Meanwhile, tighter measures than Directive 15 will be applied in orange zones (high-risk areas) and green zones (COVID-free areas) to recover production activities and support red zones.

A pandemic checkpoint set up in Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi to enforce the tougher social distancing measures (Photo: VNA)

The city’s People's Committee will develop a plan to zone areas while ensuring the adequate supply of goods, food, and medical equipment.

The committee agreed that local leaders would make their own decision to apply tighter measures based on the COVID-19 situation in their areas, taking responsibility for their own decisions.

Zonal decisions will be based on risk levels and geographical characteristics, including inner city areas with high population density, businesses, offices and service establishments.