Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc onJuly 25 ordered tightened management of border gates from the north to thesouth to prevent illegal entry, following the confirmation of the first locallyinfected case of COVID-19 in Vietnam after 99 days without communitytransmission of the coronavirus.

Addressing a meeting of the Government’s permanent members in Hanoi,the PM applauded the seriousness and efforts by all-level authorities, sectors,and localities in concurrently fighting against the pandemic and developing theeconomy.

However, he noted, some sectors and localities have been offguard and shown laxity in disease prevention and control after a long period oftime without community transmission.

Particularly, foreigners’ illegal entry into Vietnam has occurredas management measures haven’t been strict enough, he said, adding that theentire political system, especially military, police and relevant forces, mustbe responsible for this problem.

Facing the laxity in complying with the Health Ministry’srecommendations about COVID-19 prevention and control, the Government leaderrequested ministries, sectors and localities to boost the seriousimplementation of anti-pandemic measures in the new context, especially in bigcities, such as frequently washing hands with soap and wearing face masks incrowded places.

He told the Ministry of National Defence to tighten the managementof travel via border gates and border crossings so as to prevent illegal entry, andprevent virus transmission at concentrated quarantine sites.

This ministry was also asked to work with the ministries ofhealth, public security, and foreign affairs to keep stringent in quarantiningthose entering Vietnam.

Besides, the Ministry of Public Security was demanded toinvestigate and strictly deal with the recently busted rings that had illegallybrought people from other countries into Vietnam in Da Nang city and nearbyQuang Nam province.

Regarding the 416th case in Da Nang, PM Phucasked this central city to take adamant and timely actions, continue tracingand quarantining any people related to this patient, and clarify areas at riskof infection.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Security was told toreview all people with illegal entry in Da Nang and consider them suspect casesof COVID-19 to make appropriate moves.

At the meeting, the PM reiterated the dual tasks ofcombating the pandemic and developing the economy, apart from takingappropriate measures to support foreign experts, investors, skilled workers,and diplomats to enter the country and assist overseas Vietnamese with disadvantages to return home./.