Speaking at a meeting of the Ministry of National Defence’s Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control in Hanoi on March 10, Don said that Vietnam is in a new period of the fight against the acute respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and it is necessary to devise a plan to cope with the possibility of stronger outbreaks.

Don, who is also head of the steering committee, affirmed that all military units nationwide have actively participated in the fight against the disease, significantly contributing to joint efforts of the Party, State and people to prevent the epidemic.

The five requirements in preventing and controlling the epidemic have been strictly implemented by the whole army, including bilateral and multilateral cooperation activities, he stressed.

To restrain the COVID-19 epidemic from spreading in military units and the outbreak to higher levels, the whole army will continue to promote relevant communication campaigns, he said, adding that the going in and out military barracks will be restricted and strictly monitored.

All military units need to ensure food hygiene and safety, and the logistics work in case of more complicated disease outbreaks.

The Deputy Minister added that attention should also be paid to cleaning barracks and organising training programmes on disease prevention and control.

Border guard force tightens management of border gates amid COVID-19

Head of the Kien Giang border guard force Col. Ho Tu Dien at the event

A conference was held in Ho Chi Minh City on March 10 to discuss tightening the management and protection of border gates and areas amid the spread of the coronavirus disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

Speaking at the event, Commander of the Border Guard force Lieut. Gen Hoang Xuan Chien asked border guard commands of localities to seriously follow the government’s directions, set up steering boards and special task forces for the fight against epidemic, and pool local resources to meet demand for medical equipment serving quarantine at border gates and areas.

They were required to work closely with authorities of neighbouring countries, and consider the possibility of closing all crossings and forest trails in border areas if necessary to contain the spread of the outbreak.

Border guards must strictly implement quarantine measures in line with regulations and ensure that all people entering the country must fill in health declarations, he said.

The officer also stressed the importance of preventing infections among officers and soldiers while performing their duties

He went on to say that at the same time, other tasks of the border guard forces must not be neglected, such as fighting cross-border smuggling and trade fraud, especially those involving illicit drugs and medical equipment, and illegal immigration.

A total of 34 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Vietnam as of late afternoon on March 10. The first 16 patients have been cured and released from hospitals.