No gathering of crowds during New Year, Tet: PM

The Government Office on Wednesday cited a decision taken by the Prime Minister at a meeting with localities to discuss the Covid-19 situation.

While the country has “basically kept the coronavirus under control,” the numbers of new infections, severe cases and deaths were still increasing in certain localities. The main reasons for this were undetected cases in the community and the people’s negligence of disease prevention measures, the meeting heard.

With the global threat posed by Omicron, the latest variant of the novel coronavirus, being more transmissible than the Delta variant, it should be ensured that people have early access to medical help and medical capability is increased through procurement of more equipment and drugs as well as personnel preparation.

“Vaccines are the decisive factor in both the short and long term Covid-19 fight,” the Government Office said.

All people aged 12 and above must receive their second Covid-19 vaccine shots by the end of January 2022, and all of the adult population must receive their third Covid-19 vaccine shots within the first quarter of 2022, PM Chinh ordered earlier.

On December 17, the Ministry of Health requested the government to consider suspending non-essential activities with large gatherings, as well as entertainment, festive and religious activities in regions with outbreak risks during the Tet holiday.

The same day, chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Chu Ngoc Anh called for maximum restrictions on activities with large gatherings, especially during the Tet festival celebrations.

Vietnam has approved a three-day break between January 1-3 for the New Year holiday, and a nine-day break for Tet, from January 29 to February 6.