16 southern cities and provinces order social distancing from July 19

16 southern cities and provinces have decided to order two weeks of social distancing to stem the tide of COVID-19. Photo: Le Toan

Besides Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, and Dong Nai, 16 more cities and provinces will apply social distancing under Directive 16 to curb the spread of the pandemic, including Can Tho, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Tien Giang, Long An, Vinh Long, Dong Thap, Ben Tre, Hau Giang, An Giang, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang, Tra Vinh, Ca Mau, and Kien Giang.

The prime minister requested ministries and central agencies to actively coordinate with localities to strictly and effectively implement Directive 16. Attention must be paid to ensure supplies, equipment, and human resources, especially the pool of doctors and medical staff. At the same time, the localities need to provide timely and adequate supply of food and necessities for the people, especially the poor, disadvantaged, and unemployed people during the pandemic.

The PM also directed the localities to strictly implement Directive 16 while ensuring security, social order, and safety as well as the safe production and circulation of goods. Businesses are permitted to maintain production and business activities if they meet the requirements on pandemic prevention and control.

Due to the quick and unpredictable spread of the new Delta virus strain, people's health and life must be made the top priority. The PM called on people and the business community to uphold the great national unity they have shown so far while staying self-reliant and supportive of each other. He asked them to strictly comply with 5K measures and only leave their houses in case of necessity.

The fourth wave of COVID-19 in the south spread from Ho Chi Minh City to surrounding provinces from the end of May. While previously the provinces and cities detected 10-20 infections a day, in the past week, the number skyrocketed to more than 50 cases a day in each province, with 148 cases in Binh Duong and 1,350 cases in Ho Chi Minh City. As of present, 19 cities and provinces in the south have recorded 31,986 cases, accounting for 75 per cent of infections nationwide.