NDO/VNA - Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, head of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, on July 16 requested southern localities to further improve prevention and control measures, maintain safe areas, and prepare for a worse situation.

Speaking at a teleconference with leaders of the localities, Deputy PM Dam stressed that besides measures such as tracing possible contacts, conducting screening testing and stamping out current outbreaks, the localities should have better plans to maintain safe areas.

He also asked all provinces and cities to urge locals not to go out if unnecessary.

The Government official noted that the pandemic continues developing complicatedly and may spread to other localities.

At the meeting, the local leaders informed the Deputy PM of their difficulties in pandemic prevention and control, and asked for the Government’s support in biological products, medical equipment, and anti-pandemic materials, and in removing obstacles, and ensuring the circulation of goods between localities.

Deputy PM Dam said that the Government decided to assign the Ministry of Health to focus on purchasing biological products, medical equipment and supplies to help localities stay more proactive in pandemic prevention and control.