The directive stated that, with the drastic participation of both the political system and the efforts and determination of the whole Party, our entire people and our army, the prevention, combat and control of the acute respiratory infection caused by a new strain of the Corona virus (Covid-19) has achieved important initial results. The Secretariat of the Central Party Committee, the Government and the Prime Minister have timely directed all levels and branches to focus on drastically, synchronously and effectively implementing a number of tasks and solutions to prevent and combat the epidemic with the spirit of "fighting against the epidemic like an enemy”, making recoveries to all the infected people and not causing any spread, which has been highly appreciated by the people of the country and the international community.

However, the Covid-19 epidemic is becoming more and more complicated, unpredictable and increasingly widespread, at risk of outbreaks in many countries and regions around the world and has a great impact on the global economy and numerous countries and major partners of Vietnam. In our region, the Covid-19 epidemic has been affecting several aspects of economic and social life. Activities of import, export, circulation, transport of goods and passengers, many service sectors such as health, education, catering, accommodation, entertainment, especially tourism, are clearly affected. Some initial production industries and sectors were affected, particularly, temporary labor shortages, discontinuity of supply chains of input materials and materials, causing disruptions in production and business activities. Many businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises and businesses in the epidemic area have to narrow their production and business activities or suspend operations.

In this context, given the situation of many returning Vietnamese and international visitors from the epidemic areas and from many countries without clear information about the epidemic, we must not be neglectful, instead, it is vital to highly concentrate and drastically implement epidemic prevention measures, well performed isolation process, prevent the epidemic from spreading, affecting the health and life of the people; at the same time, there are immediately specific and effective solutions to remove difficulties for production and business, ensuring social security, and making the best effort to achieve the set socio-economic development targets.

In order to focus on preventing and minimizing the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic, removing difficulties for production and business, performing socio-economic development tasks and ensuring social security, life safety and health of the people, the Prime Minister requests ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, government-attached agencies, Presidents of People's Committees of provinces and cities directly under the Central Government, and Chairman of the Board Members, general directors of economic groups, state corporations suggested the business community and people of the whole country to focus on implementing the "dual goals" of both epidemic prevention and control and socioeconomic development at the same time. There is absolutely no place for carelessness, negligence and irresponsibility in directing the prevention of Covid-19 epidemic in the context of this dangerous disease outbreak that is getting widespread in many countries today; There should also be appropriate plans and solutions to cope with all situations in order not to be passive. At the same time, immediately implement measures to support people and businesses affected by the epidemic, contributing to removing difficulties for production and business activities, ensuring social security; making efforts to strive for the highest results of the targets of socio-economic development in 2020 set out under the Conclusions of the Central Government and the Resolutions of the National Assembly and the Government.

The Prime Minister requested to focus on implementing 7 tasks and solutions such as: Settle difficulties, create favorable conditions on accessing capital, credit, finance, taxes, commerce and electronic payment; Review and cut administrative procedures and costs for businesses; Facilitate production and business, promote import and export; Expeditiously recover and develop tourism and aviation industry; Speed up the implementation, disburse investment capital and improve the business environment; Focus on handling labor problems; Promote communication information.

Regarding solutions to handle labor problems, the Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs to lead and coordinate with agencies and localities to urgently focus on handling and resolving labor issues, and report to the Prime Minister in March 2020 on issues such as labor situation, employment in businesses; take measures to diversify forms of propaganda and solutions to motivate employees' morale; have appropriate plans to support labor training and support workers who are laid off or lost their jobs due to the effects of Covid-19 epidemic; The current situation and solutions for managing foreign workers working in Vietnam in each locality, especially laborers coming from or to the epidemic areas; make plans to support businesses to find alternative labor sources in case there is shortage of labor and foreign experts.

Regarding promoting information and communication, The Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Information and Communications to coordinate with the Central Propaganda Department and assume the prime responsibility and coordinate with the ministries, branches and localities in directing the media agencies to timely provide official, public, transparent and objective information about the results of the prevention and control of Covid-19 in Vietnam; promote the propagation of solutions of the Government, ministries, branches and localities in proactively, synchronously and drastically preventing and coping with the evolution of the epidemic and focusing on eliminating difficulties and promoting production and businesses, ensuring social security, health and life of the people.

Enhance propagandas on topics such as "Living safely" and "Vietnam is safe", which affirms that Vietnam is a safe destination and always creates favorable conditions for tourists and domestic and international investors.

The Prime Minister requested ministries, central agencies and localities to concentrate on thoroughly and urgently creating specific action plans and directing agencies, units, cadres, civil servants and public employees under their management to immediately perform the tasks stated in this Directive; well carry out the work of guiding, propagating and mobilizing the business community and people on mechanisms, policies, solutions to support and remove difficulties for production and businesses, ensuring social security to cope with the Covid-19 epidemic in the spirit of this Directive; absolutely avoid causing difficulties and troubles for people and businesses; actively coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies in handling arising problems, submit monthly reports on the implementation status and proposing solutions. Send them to the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Government Office by the 20th every month to synthesize and report to the Government and the Prime Minister./.