This is the request of Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung, Head of the Communications Subcommittee under the National Steering Committee on Prevention and Control of Covid-19 in the Communication Plan on the prevention of the Covid-19 pandemic, from September 15 to September 22, 2021 with the message of "Good practice of pandemic prevention, effective monitoring and consistent technology".

Accordingly, the press and media system needs to pay attention to communication with the emphasis on the guiding viewpoints of the Government and the Prime Minister, providing analysis and comparison based on data and scientific evaluation of pandemic situation and the results of Covid-19 prevention, treatment, and social security, ensuring that people's lives could turn back to normal.

Illustrative image (source: VSS)

To continue propagating the message of the pandemic’s prevention and control being on the right track and aligned with the current situation and conditions of the country, especially taking communes, wards and townships as "fortresses", and citizens as soldiers, the center for serving, and essential parts in pandemic prevention and control. Reflecting the synchronous and effective implementation of health measures through the rapid and extensive Covid-19 testing, treatment to reduce mortality, and rapid coverage of vaccines, etc.

Press agencies need to put more attention in articles, programs, opinions, and comments on important messages of the Prime Minister: "Pandemic prevention is a fundamental, strategic, long-term and decisive solution; the anti-pandemic work must be drastic and conclusive", "Good practice of pandemic prevention is not anti-pandemic; with effective anti-pandemic work, millions of dong will not be lost in the fight against pandemic, particularly the loss of people's mental health, physical health and life", so that the whole society can understand, share, spread out the opinions and reach the agreement. Propaganda about viewpoints and policies on pandemic prevention and control must achieve the goal that "Citizens know - Citizens understand - Citizens believe - Citizens follow - Citizens do".

Delivering the message of the necessity for synchronous, timely and easy-to-follow solutions to reassure investors (including foreign investors in Vietnam), enterprises, production and business households and citizens who have met the conditions for epidemiological safety.

To propagate with the highlight of the trend of "unifying an QR code" for each citizen and each production and business unit for the convenience in usage, control unification, verification of the epidemiological status, assurance/non-assurance of the safe operation conditions. Affirming the trend to "connect and share" different databases to facilitate individuals, organizations and people at management levels in controlling the level of epidemiological safety when returning to the new normal life.

To accelerate communication on solutions to technology platforms in the direction for people to understand, and gain their trust in the usage of applications for Covid-19 prevention, contributing to the improvement of platform's efficiency. At the same time, press and media agencies also need to promptly give response, explanation and information adjustment on social networks, which would cause pessimism and negativity; rebut the misrepresented, triggered, and untruthful claims about the prevention and control of Covid-19 pandemic.

Regarding the grassroot information system, it is necessary to keep providing information on the situation of pandemic control in locality, and planning citizen assistance, and skills for pandemic prevention. To give commendations to good organizational models of pandemic prevention and control and models of safe production and business; provide information on specific cases with poor performance, violations of regulations on pandemic prevention and control as a warning and reminder.

Regarding external information, it is necessary to put attention on the propaganda of Government's policies and solutions to prevent and control the Covid-19 pandemic in the fastest, accurate and timely manner, especially solutions to attract foreign investment; provide sufficient information so that both domestic and foreign enterprises in Vietnam will be able to soon reopen business activities.

To continue the observation of international experiences in Covid-19 pandemic prevention and control including: Experience in lifting social distancing measures; studies on vaccine efficacy and on the pilot of reopening tourism activities, flights with "vaccination passports"; thereby proposing and recommending solutions. The goal is to clarify the roadmap for pandemic prevention and adapt with the context of pandemic, reactivating activities step by step in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Southern provinces.

It is necessary for telecommunication enterprises to keep sending SMS messages, transfer key messages via speakers and through other forms to phone subscribers to send brief information and recommendations for citizens to know and comply. Accelerating the rapid implementation of network coverage in remoted areas without Internet connection for online teaching and learning.

To well organize the operation of call centers supporting medical declaration and responding to citizens' complaints, to receive information and provide support in timely manner for people who need assistance with medical issues, vaccine immunization schedules, electronic health book app.... supporting the collection, analysis and assessment of the situation of pandemic prevention and control.