NDO/VNA – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on July 17 ordered social distancing in 19 southern localities that are stricken by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of the localities, Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong and Dong Nai province have already enacted social distancing in line with the PM’s Directive No. 16/CT-TTg.

The others are Can Tho city and 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 provinces.

According to the document issued on the day, the 14-day social distancing period will be decided by Chairpersons of provincial People’s Committees but it must begin before July 19.

For the localities where social distancing has been rolled out, the PM asked their Chairpersons to report to competent agencies before deciding to maintain the period as scheduled earlier or extend it.

Attention should be paid to medical supplies and personnel in the localities during the combat, the PM requested.

It is a must to ensure food and other necessities for local residents, especially the poor, those in difficult circumstances and labourers who have been rendered jobless due to the pandemic, he said.

Only production and business facilities that meet COVID-19 prevention and control requirements are required to operate, according to the document.

The PM called on people and the business community to seriously observe the directive, go out in case of extremely necessity, and strictly follow the Ministry of Health’s 5K message – khau trang (facemask), khu khuan (disinfection), khoang cach (distance), khong tu tap (no gathering), and khai bao y te (health declaration).