Concluding a meeting on COVID-19 responses on Monday, Phuc said import of COVID-19 vaccines became one of the Government’s central priorities to make them available within this month.

The Government chief ordered serious implementation of the 5K message: Khau trang (facemask) – Khu khuan (disinfection) – Khoang cach (distance) – Khong tu tap (no gathering) – Khai bao y te (health declaration).

State agencies and factories must seriously implement regulations on COVID-19 prevention, Phuc requested.

He tasked the healthcare sector, localities and hospitals to retest foreign experts who have entered Viet Nam.

The Ministry of National Defense and localities were asked to strengthen borders control to prevent infection risks from illegal entrants.

Regarding repatriation of Vietnamese citizens abroad, PM Phuc assigned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work out and submit a “rescue” plan soon.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (standing) chairs a meeting on COVID-19 response on Monday afternoon. Photo: VGP

Speaking at the meeting, a representative from the Ministry of Information and Communications said 29 million people have downloaded Bluezone - a Bluetooth-based app that helps determine if a person has come into contact with a Covid-19 patient.

The app has helped identify 4,625 individuals who had been in close contact with COVID-19 patients in Hai Duong over the past weeks, the representative added.

Chairman of Ha Noi Municipal People’s Committee Chu Ngoc Anh said the city has decided to close schools until February 28 while asking the Ministry of Education and Training to shut universities and colleges until the end of this month.

As of 6:30 pm on Monday, Viet Nam confirmed 2,269 COVID-19 infection cases, including 1,541 recoveries.

Of the tally, 677 are local infections documented in 13 provinces and cities since January 27, 2021, according to the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control led by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam.

Hai Duong is the current biggest COVID-19 hotspot with 499 confirmed cases, followed by Quang Ninh (59), Ho Chi Minh City (36), and Ha Noi (34).

Leaders of Hai Duong on Monday decided to impose 15-day social distancing in the locality, starting from February 16./.