Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaking at the meeting. Photo: Lam Khanh / VNA

At a national online meeting on prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic on Friday, the Prime Minister asked for strictly handling violations of illegal entry and those who do not comply with epidemic prevention regulations.

“It’s necessary to decentralize and enhance the responsibility of the leaders. Wherever the leaders are exemplary, the situation there is good. If the leaders let their guard down, there will be consequences. Those who do not perform well and lack the sense of responsibility must be dealt with without hesitation,” said Mr. Chinh.   

Criticizing complacency and negligence in epidemic combat, the Prime Minister also emphasized that localities should not be too panic when an outbreak occurs. It is necessary to be calm and to wisely assess the situation in order not to take excessive measures which will harm social stability and economic development, he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam speaking at the meeting. Photo: Lam Khanh / VNA

At the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, Head of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, requested more aggressive measures and restarting rapid-response activities, including activities of COVID community teams.

People leaving the quarantine facilities must be regularly checked and supervised by COVID community teams in their residential areas, said Deputy Prime Minister Dam.