THE PEOPLE’S COMMITTEE OF HO CHI MINH CITY | SOCIALISTREPUBLIC OF VIETNAM |
No. 18/CT-UBND | Ho Chi Minh City, September 30, 2021 |
DIRECTIVE
CONTINUATION OF COVID-19 CONTROL, REVISIONS TO ANTI-COVID MEASURES AND STEP-BY-STEP ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT IN HO CHI MINH CITY
Over the past time, Ho Chi Minh City has implemented drastically, synchronously, actively and effectively various anti-Covid measures according to Resolution No. 86/NQ-CP dated sep August 6, 2021 of the Government, Resolution No. 05-NQ/TU dated September 15, 2021 of the 8th Meeting of HCMC Communist Party, and achieved many very important results; the healthcare system is strengthened; the number of hospitalizations, severe cases and deaths are continuously decreasing; the percentage of people aged 18 and over who have received the 1st dose and 2nd dose vaccine of Covid-19 are 95% and 45% respectively; District 7, Can Gio district and Cu Chi district have experimented reopening of some activities; awareness of people and businesses about epidemic prevention and control has been improved; social security and food supply is guaranteed.
However, Covid-19 situation in the city is still complicated. The numbers of new cases, active cases being treated at home and health facilities, deaths are still high. On the other hand, vaccination rate in southern key economic regions is still very low. The percentage of 2nd dose in the city is not high. This requires prudent economic policies that are appropriate for the entire region.
In order to take advantage of the achievements in Covid-19 control, step-by-step reopen the economy in Ho Chi Minh City, continue effective implementation of Resolution No. 86/NQ-CP, the motto “Safe, flexible adaptation, effective Covid-19 control” of the Government, the President of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City hereby requests that organizations and individuals in the city continue control of Covid-19, implement revised anti-Covid measures and step-by-step reopen the economy:
I. OBJECTIVES - PRINCIPLES
1. Objectives
- Continue control and prevent Covid-19 infection in the city; protection of the people’s health and life is top priority; minimize the number of hospitalizations and deaths; strengthen the healthcare system, especially grass-root health facilities.
- Step-by-step achieve socio-economic recovery and development safely, flexibly and effectively; prioritize reopening the production and service sector; ensure social security for the people in the city.
- Transition to the “new normal” state.
2. Principles
- Mobilize all resources of the people and enterprises to participate in Covid-19 prevention and control, socio-economic recovery and development.
- Strictly implement directives of the Government, the Prime Minister, National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Control, regulations and instructions of the Ministry of Health; strengthen cooperation between Ministries, central authorities and local authorities in the region; reconnect labor and supply chains.
- Intensify application of information technology in Covid-19 control; boost administrative reform; enable the people and enterprises to complete administrative procedures; do not create unnecessary administrative procedures.
- Promote the effectiveness of combination between centralization and decentralization between authorities, levels of management, districts, Thu Duc city, and wards, communes and commune-level towns in order to promote responsibility and autonomy, initiative and creativity in Covid-19 prevention and control, economic recovery and social security.
- Adhere the motto “Safety first”, “Only reopen when it’s safe to reopen”. Implement practical social distancing measures.
II. MEASURES
From 18:00 of September 30, 2021, continue Covid-19 control, revise anti-Covid measures, step-by-step achieve economic recovery and development according to Covid-19 situation in Ho Chi Minh City and safety evaluation results according to instructions of the Ministry of Health.
1. Covid-19 prevention and control activities
1.1. Healthcare
a) Vaccination
- Diversify vaccine sources; mobilize all resources to achieve target vaccination rate set by the Ministry of Health, aiming to achieve full vaccination coverage as soon as possible.
- Prioritize frontliners, people with underlying diseases, people aged over 50, pregnant women; production forces; vaccinate children when there are instructions from the Ministry of Health and available vaccine sources.
b) Testing and determination of epidemic levels
- Strictly implement the testing strategy of National Steering Committee and instructions of the Ministry of Health to detect and separate sources of infection in Level 3 and Level 4 areas and implement appropriate anti-Covid measures.
- Test all suspected cases; carry out testing in high-risk, crowded areas such as wholesale markets, bus stations, vehicles, hospitals, schools, etc.; encourage enterprises, organizations and people to periodically test themselves using antigen test kits according to instructions of health authorities.
- Frequently evaluate epidemic levels in administrative divisions according to the Interim Guidance for Safe and Flexible Adaptation to Covid-19” of National Steering Committee.
- Strictly control sources of infection (detected F0 cases) and new F0 cases under testing plans according to levels of risk.
c) Community-based treatment and management of F0 cases
- Promulgate procedures for management and response to F0 cases in communities, production – service areas and other areas in new situations in order maintain safety while avoiding interruptions of activities.
- Make sure 100% of districts and Thu Duc City (hereinafter referred to as “districts”) has mobile medical stations and community Covid-19 treatment teams; 100% of the medical stations have medical oxygen to provide emergency treatment for Covid-19 patients at their homes; utilize local Covid-19 rapid response teams; prepare plans for establishment of mobile medical stations in industrial zones and industrial complexes.
- Mobilize all resources to treatment of F0 cases at home, including: charitable organizations, private clinics, pharmacies, doctors, retired health workers, etc.; intensify application of information technology, combination of western – eastern medicines to treatment and management of F0 cases.
d) Treatment
- Maintain effectiveness of the 3-level treatment model; minimize severe cases and deaths; prepare adequate ICU beds according to criteria of the Ministry of Health.
- Improve treatment capacity of hospitals, including private hospitals; be prepared for developments of Covid-19; study establishment of “Covid-19 Ward” in infectious disease hospitals and general hospitals.
- Establish a system for warning and determination of capacity of Covid-19 treatment; prepare a plan for resumption of functions of hospitals so that they can admit both Covid-19 patients and common patients.
dd) Strengthening and recovery of healthcare system
- Restructure the treatment system; mobilize all resources, including private resources (hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, etc.); prepare a plan for assurance of adequate human resources when health workers from other provinces are withdrawn.
- Improve the quality of human resources and equipment of the healthcare system, including those of hospitals, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), medical centers of districts and communes.
- Propose mechanisms and policies for attracting resources to epidemic prevention and control and provision of healthcare for the people.
1.2. Application of science and technology
a) Use the application designated by National Steering Committee and HCMC Steering Committee to provide Covid-related information for the people, manage business operation and transport;
Require application of information technology to various activities to improve effectiveness of Covid-19 control and boost the process of digitalization of the City and local authorities.
b) All agencies, units, production, business and service facilities in the City shall register QR codes at http://antoan-covid.tphcm.gov.vn/. By October 08, 2021, all agencies, units, production, business and service facilities shall be able to scan QR codes (displayed on smart phones or printed) of all employees and visitors using the applications of the City (or PC-Covid-19).
c) Evaluate safety of each neighborhood and update it on the digital map.
d) Increase the ratio of online public services provided by administrative agencies and ratio of users of Level 3 and Level 4 online public services.
Develop and utilize the common database of the City with big data; connect to the national database via NGSP and HCM LGSP.
dd) Develop a Covid-19 portal into an official information portal to provide adequate and accurate information about Covid-19 situation; develop a system of digital maps to effectively serve Covid-19 control in the new normal state while providing various utilities for the people in the City; develop 1022 hotline into a consolidated, inter-disciplinary information portal and a multimedia channel for communication between the people and the City’s authorities.
1.3. Assurance of social security, order and safety
a) Assurance of social security
- Provide the third Covid-19 relief package for people who actually have difficulties and are present in the City according to Resolution No. 97/NQ-HĐND dated September 22, 2021 of Standing People’s Council of Ho Chi Minh City; make sure assistance is provided for eligible people and no one is left behind or receive assistance more than one time.
- Introduce policies and mobilize social resources to provide assistance for lonely old people and children who become orphans due to Covid-19.
- Continue providing the Government’s rice; mobilize social resources to provision of care for the people; Enable all organizations and individuals to provide assistance for people facing difficulties.
- Maintain effectiveness of the Center for Receipt and Provision of Essential Goods for People Difficulties due to Covid-19; continue to improve effectiveness of social security and life of the people.
- Implement various measures for providing assistance, training and encouraging the workforce to return to their jobs in order to avoid labor shortage.
b) Assurance of defense and security, social order and safety
Organize activities in defense areas in new situations; continue to obtain intelligence and make forecasts uncover conspiracies to take advantage of the epidemic to oppose the State and other violations of law; discover and promptly take actions against threats to security and order; ensure defense and security; maintain political security, security safety and order, and fire safety in any situation.
2. The people shall:
- Stay alert; be proactive and flexible; encourage their family to take care of health and live safely.
- Strictly implement 5K rules (Facemasks - Distance - Health declaration - Disinfection - No gathering).
- When using public roads, use the QR code generated by “VNEID” application and the QR code showing vaccination history of “Y Te HCM” application or “So Suc Khoe Dien Tu” application (until “PC-COVID" application is functional); In case a QR code is not available, present documents showing that he/she: (1) has recovered from Covid-19 for less than 6 months; (2) has received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine that requires 2 doses for 14 days) when requested by the authorities. Inter-provincial travel shall comply with Clause 3 Section II of this Directive.
- Call the local Covid-19 hotline or 115 when having any of the Covid-19 symptoms (cough, fever, difficult breathing, etc.) or emergency treatment is needed; contact social security teams, 1022 hotline or register on “An Sinh” application when food is needed.
- Inbound foreigners who arrive at the City shall make health declaration at the border checkpoint, then use QR codes or alternative documents in the City.
3. Transport and traffic control
- Maintain circulation of goods between Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces to serve people’s life, production, business, export and import.
- Road and inland waterway passenger transport in the City shall be appropriate for the local epidemic level according to instructions of Department of Transport; private vehicles may only run within the city.
- Inter-provincial passenger transport (road, waterway, rail, air transport) shall follow the roadmap of the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Health.
- Inter-provincial passenger transport of prioritized people (officials, workers, experts, patients, etc.), transport of workers to the City and in other necessary situations shall comply with instructions of Department of Transport.
- E-commerce delivery by motorbike (“shippers”) shall comply with instructions of Department of Industry and Trade.
- Intensify control of traffic at inter-provincial checkpoints. At these checkpoints, road users shall be checked using QR codes and other means of identification. Increase patrolling; prevent gathering of crowds and traffic congestions at checkpoints.
4. Operations of agencies, units, organizations and individuals (in Appendix 1, 2, 3).
III. ORGANIZATION OF IMPLEMENTATION
1. Heads of authorities and enterprises in the City shall, pursuant to this Directive, issue plans, regulations, instructions on implementation of this Directive in their organizations or areas of operation; carry out management, inspection and supervisions; take actions against violations within their jurisdiction.
2. Relevant authorities shall advise the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City cooperating with relevant central and provincial authorities in uniform and effective implementation of this Directive.
3. The People’s Committees of districts shall prepare and implement detailed plans for implementation of this Directive in their areas according to Covid-19 situation in their districts. Pay attention to the following issues:
- Covid-19 quarantine zones must be narrowed down and household-specific if possible; uniformly and effectively implement medical measures such as: precautions, testing, treatment, vaccination; make sure the people receive public - private medical services as soon as possible, at home or on the spot.
- Establish inter-disciplinary inspectorates to carry out periodic and surprise inspections of anti-Covid-19 measures at local factories and businesses; impose severe penalties for violations; management boards of export processing zones, industrial zones, hi-tech zones and QTSC Co. Ltd. shall inspect and supervise enterprises therein.
- Presidents of the People’s Committees of districts and Thu Duc City shall evaluate epidemic levels in their districts; regulate socio-economic activities in each administrative division and neighborhood and take responsibility for their decisions; ensure uniformity, effectiveness and safety; report difficulties to the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City for instructions.
4. Focus on propaganda and orientation works in the entire political system; make sure people from all social strata understand and can effectively implement this Directive; receive feedbacks and consider making revisions according to reality.
5. The People’s Councils, Propaganda Agency, Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and socio-political organizations shall continue cooperating in organizing, inspecting and supervising the implementation of this Directive.
6. Departments, authorities, the People’s Committees of districts and communes shall cooperate with agencies, units, enterprises and people in the City in strictly and effectively implementing this Directive.
The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City will consider revising this Directive according to Covid-19 situation in the City, regulations of National Steering Committee and instructions of the Ministry of Health./.
| PRESIDENT |
APPENDIX 1
ACTIVITIES OF AGENCIES, UNITS, ORGANIZATIONS, INDIVIDUALS
(Promulgated together with Directive No.18/CT-UBND dated September 30, 2021 of the President of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City)
I. PERMITTED ACTIVITIES
1. Heads of State units, agencies, political organizations, socio-political organizations, social-professional organizations, central agencies and units located within Ho Chi Minh City shall decide the quantity of officials, public employees and employees according to regulations of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and the Criteria for Evaluation of Safety against Covid-19.
2. Consular offices, international organizations and foreign economic – cultural offices in the city shall decide their own working methods as long as they are suitable for their operations and anti-Covid measures of the City and the Ministry of Health.
3. Public and non-public health facilities, establishments trading in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, medical supplies, biologicals, medical devices may operate according to the Criteria for Evaluation of Safety against Covid-19 (Appendix 2)
4. Production, trade, business, service provision are permitted if they satisfy corresponding Criteria for safety and prevention against COVID-19 are fully satisfied (Appendix 3).
5. Activities of religious establishments, hotels, resorts, hostels, tourist attractions; art performance, sports, funerals, weddings:
5.1. Activities of religious establishments may be attended by up to 10 people (up to 60 people if at least 90% of them have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or have recovered from Covid-19).
5.2. Hotels, resorts, hostels, tourist attractions may operate at up to 50% of their capacity and may only receive guests who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or have recovered from Covid-19 or test negative for SARS-CoV-2 within the last 72 hours.
5.1. Art performances, sports competitions, sports activities may be attended by up to 60 people if at least 90% of them have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or have recovered from Covid-19.
5.4. Weddings and funerals:
- Indoor activities may be attended by up to 10 people (up to 60 people if at least 90% of them have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or have recovered from Covid-19).
- Outdoor activities may be attended by up to 15 people (up to 90 people if at least 90% of them have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have recovered from Covid-19).
6. Education and training: Continue indirect teaching online or on television; gradually make improvements to combine indirect and direct teaching. Direct teaching for people who have been fully vaccinated is permissible if corresponding criteria are fully satisfied.
7. Indoor and outdoor crowded activities:
- Indoor activities (meetings, training, conferences, etc.) may be attended by up to 10 people (up to 60 people if at least 90% of them have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have recovered from Covid-19).
- Outdoor activities may be attended by up to 15 people (up to 90 people if at least 90% of them have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have recovered from Covid-19).
8. Other cases are subject to permission by competent authorities.
II. SUSPENDED ACTIVITIES
1. Bars, beer clubs, pubs, spas, massage parlors, beauty salons, restaurants, cinemas, circuses, dance halls, karaoke bars, gaming centers.
2. Illegal street markets, street vendors, lottery ticket peddlers.
3. Other activities except for permitted activities specified in Section I of Appendix 1, Appendix 2, Appendix 3./.
APPENDIX 2
PERMITTED PUBLIC AND NON-PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES, ESTABLISHMENTS TRADING IN PHARMACEUTICALS, COSMETICS, MEDICAL SUPPLIES, BIOLOGICALS, MEDICAL DEVICES
(Promulgated together with Directive No.18/CT-UBND dated September 30, 2021 of the President of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City)
Group 1. Public, non-public hospitals, general clinics, specialist clinics
1. General hospitals, specialist hospitals.
2. Infirmaries of the armed forces.
3. General clinics.
4. Specialist clinics (including testing laboratories, medical imaging, x-ray, traditional medicine clinics).
5. Family clinics.
6. Maternity wards.
Group 2. Public, non-public medical facilities
1. Facilities providing services including vaccination, changing bandages, counting pulse, taking body temperature, measuring blood pressure.
2. Facilities providing home care services.
3. Facilities providing emergency treatment, domestic and outbound patient transport services.
4. Corrective lens stores.
5. Denture clinics.
Group 3. Public and non-public establishments trading in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, medical supplies, biologicals, medical devices ./.
APPENDIX 3
PERMITED PRODUCTION, BUSINESS, TRADE ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES
(Promulgated together with Directive No.18/CT-UBND dated September 30, 2021 of the President of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City)
1. Enterprises, production and business establishments in industrial complexes, industrial zones, export processing zones, hi-tech zones, Quang Trung Software Park and factories in districts.
2. Enterprises, household businesses, cooperatives, artels, households participating in agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, salt production; providers of auxiliary agriculture services, veterinary facilities, veterinarians.
3. Traffic and construction works.
4. Enterprises and service establishments:
- Supply of food, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, electricity, water, fuel, repair services; collection, transport, treatment of wastes; postal and telecommunication services; trade, repair, maintenance of vehicles, household and industrial equipment; real estate business, investment; management, operation, maintenance, repair of infrastructure and equipment of agencies, buildings, apartment buildings.
- Public services, security services; toll booths; construction advisory services; cleaning services; environmental remediation and monitoring services; job placement services; bike/car wash services; utilities such as: water supply and drainage, parks, urban trees, infrastructure, transport.
- Postal and telecommunication services; press, publishing, printing, calendar printing; e-commerce, e-commerce shipping; bookstores, office supply stores; book streets; libraries, galleries, fine art and photography exhibitions; student stationery; information technology; computer parts; appliance stores; eyeglass stores; apparel stores; jewelry stores.
- Warehouses, depots, transport, export, import auxiliary services.
5. Shopping malls, supermarkets, mini supermarkets, convenience stores, grocery stores, wholesale markets, traditional markets, food and beverage establishments (only takeaway orders are permitted); restaurants within lodging establishments, resorts and tourist attractions may serve their guests and must not serve buffets).
6. Barbershops, hair salons, sports facilities (gyms, yoga classes, etc.) may operate at up to 50% of their capacity and serve up to 10 people at a time.
7. Operations of representative offices and branches of foreign traders in the City.
8. Credit institutions, foreign bank branches, state treasuries, facilities providing services relevant to credit, foreign bank branches, logistics; ancillary services for the people and enterprises (notary, lawyer’s service, auction, valuation, audit, financial services, insurance, foreign exchange, bailiff, commercial arbitration, commercial mediation, legal advice and other advisory services for enterprises, judicial assessment, asset management – liquidation, registration, secured transaction registration, land registration), securities, pawnshop business.
9. Trade promotion activities including fairs, exhibitions, conferences, demand – supply connection, consumption events:
- Indoor activities may be attended by up to 10 people (up to 60 people if at least 90% of them have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or have recovered from Covid-19).
- Outdoor activities may be attended by up to 15 people (up to 90 people if at least 90% of them have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have recovered from Covid-19)./.
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