The Government chief also asked localities to take those who come from the pandemic-stricken areas to centralized quarantine camps or to order them to isolate themselves at home in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s instructions.

The Ministry of Health was tasked to direct and assist localities in identifying the pandemic-hit areas and designing proper preventive measures so as to ensure the dual goal of COVID-19 containment and economic recovery of each locality.

So far, Viet Nam has confirmed 1,957 COVID-19 patients, including 1,465 recoveries and 35 deaths.

Of the national tally, 375 have been detected since January 27 following the emergence of the third wave of local transmission in Hai Duong and Quang Ninh.

The third wave of local infections has spread to Ha Noi, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City, Gia Lai, Hoa Binh, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, and Binh Duong as of Friday morning./.