Hanoi Party Secretary Dinh Tien Dung urged for tighter social distancing
An ambulance driver and several people who had been treated, quarantined and allowed to go home recently tested positive for Covid-19. Even inside quarantine centres, management and monitoring are still lax.
According to Dung, the most effective immediate response is social distancing. Ward and communal authorities are asked to review their areas and have plans for emergencies. Households will be asked to sign a commitment stating that they would not go out unnecessary. Local authorities must tighten monitoring to limit travellers such as patrolling main streets leading to residential areas with offices and factories. Violators will be strictly punished.
Vehicles from other provinces that have been permitted to go to Hanoi must not stop along the way. The driver must wear a full protective suit when leaving the cabin and not have contact with anyone else. After unloading the goods, they must leave Hanoi immediately.
If the drivers want to stay in Hanoi, firms are responsible for ensuring preventive measures and the needs of the drivers. Drivers that want to stay in Hanoi for a long time will be tested and quarantined.
Red zones that are the most at risk will be treated as a quarantine centre. Hanoi People's Committee will carry out screen tests to detect new cases in these high-risk areas and ensure that Covid-free zones stay safe. The aim is to screen test the whole city.
Dung emphasised that the plan will not work without co-operation from the public and called for the residents to continue following social distancing rules.
The capital city has reported 3,159 Covid-19 infections since the fourth outbreak occurred in late April. On Sunday, the city recorded the highest number of infections since the new outbreak started with 133 cases.