Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh toured the Vinh Nguon border checkpoint in Chau Doc city of the southern border province of An Giang to inspect border control and management there.

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Photo: VGP

The move was made amid the complex and swift evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic, with 333 community infection cases confirmed over the last 10 days.

In addition, the number of entrants from Cambodia is expected to keep rising in the coming days as the neighboring country had lifted the lockdown.

Photo: VGP

Speaking to the soldiers, the Government chief commended them for their tireless efforts to prevent illegal immigration and smuggling.

Photo: VGP

He urged the border guard force to continue close collaboration with other forces and local authorities to prevent the importation of Covid-19 into Viet Nam, VGP reported.

Photo: VGP

Photo: VGP

Pham emphasized that outbreaks of Covid-19 can happen at any time and anywhere, thus it is necessary to prepare for all scenarios, especially the establishment of field hospitals in An Giang and the neighboring province of Dong Thap.

Photo: VGP

Earlier the same day, PM held an urgent video conference with the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, relevant ministries and agencies, and six provinces along the southwestern border, focusing on how to respond to the latest Covid-19 resurgence in the country, according to Vietnamplus.

At the event, PM Chinh underlined the growing complexity of the current Covid-19 outbreak, with a very high risk of the coronavirus spreading nationwide.

There were localities lowering guards against the virus and not prepared themselves with suitable response scenarios, he said, emphasizing that local leaders will be held accountable for leaving the pandemic out of control or stagnant economy in their localities.

The PM also noted the threat from illegal entry across the border while the pandemic is ravaging neighboring countries, and demanded strict control of entry and residency.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs an urgent video conference on May 9 on how to respond to the latest Covid-19 resurgence in the country. Photo: VNA

Voicing his concern over the spread of misinformation on Covid-19 response efforts and vaccination on social media which has created public concern, Chinh urged the mass media, the Party Central Committee’s Commission of Mass Mobilization and Commission of Education and Communication to intervene to end the issue.

He stressed that if the pandemic spreads across the country, it would affect the elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils for the 2021 – 2026 tenure and this academic year, therefore, all local administrations, organizations and units must strictly and drastically comply with instructions of the Party and the Government regarding Covid-19 control and ensure social security and order.

The PM also pointed to the need to prepare accommodations and treatment facilities for a 30,000-case scenario.

He asked all cities and provinces to come up with plans to ensure safety for the upcoming elections, and the completion of the 2020-21 school year while ministries must collaborate more closely to combat the virus.

The Ministries of National Defense, Public Security and Health were also asked to send more personnel and supplies to support border provinces, particularly those in the southwest.

Vietnam documented 87 cases of Covid-19 in the 12 hours to 6 pm May 9, including 77 domestic cases, according to the Health Ministry.

Bac Giang province had the most cases during the day with 26, followed by Da Nang with 17, Bac Ninh 15, Hanoi 11, while Hung Yen, Hoa Binh and Thua Thien-Hue had two each, and Quang Nam and Quang Tri each had one.

The national count rose to 3,332, with 333 cases since April 27.

A total 2,602 patients have been given the all-clear, and the death toll remains at 35.

Among patients still under treatment, 25 have tested negative for the coronavirus once, 22 twice and 17 thrice.

Meanwhile, 51,554 people are being quarantined across the country, with 876 at hospitals, 24,464 in designated facilities and 26,214 at home or accommodations.

Malie Nguyen