On March 31, 2020, the Prime Minister promulgated Directive No. 16/CT-TTg on urgent measures for prevention and control of COVID-19, which is being implemented seriously by all regulatory bodies and local governments. However, there are some misunderstanding and inconsistency regarding implementation of certain contents of this Directive. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hereby assigns the following tasks:

1. Strictly carry out nationwide quarantine according to Directive No. 16/CT-TTg , ensure social distancing and maintain required distance between people and between communities. To prevent community transmission, people should limit their movement and stay home unless it is for the following necessities:

a) Purchase of food, pharmaceuticals and other essential goods and services;

b) Emergencies such as emergency aid, medical services, acts of god, fire, etc.

c) Working in state agencies and units, armed forces, diplomatic missions and the establishments mentioned in section 2 of this document.

When leaving home, people must wear facemasks, perform hand hygiene with soap or hand sanitizers; not form groups of more than 2 people in public spaces or outside office buildings, schools or hospitals and keep a distance of at least 2m.

2. Factories, manufacturing establishments; traffic/construction works; essential businesses (food, pharmaceuticals, gasoline, oil, electricity, water, fuels, etc.); educational institutions, banks, treasuries, and providers of banking services, enterprise support services (notary services, lawyer services, vehicle registration, secured transaction registration, etc.), securities services, postal services, telecommunications services, goods transport, import and export services, medical services,  mortuary services, etc. may continue to operate. Heads of these establishments shall ensure complete safety and apply all measures against COVID-19, including:

a) Provide adequate equipment for COVID-19 prevention and control according to regulations and/or recommendations from health authorities and wear facemasks in a serious manner;

b) Request their employees to complete health declaration and comply with measures concerning restriction of movement, contact and communication;

c) Suspend non-urgent activities and reduce density of employees in the workplace;

d) Properly control and organize employee transport (if any) to and from the workplace to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Any establishment that fails to satisfy the abovementioned requirements must cease their operation. Local health authorities shall inspect and supervise COVID-19 prevention and control in these establishments.

Chairpersons of provincial People’s Committees shall decide and announce the types of businesses that must suspend their operations.

3. Suspend public transit, excluding transport for official business, transport of workers, specialists and quarantined persons and transport of goods and manufacturing materials/ingredients. Minimize use of private vehicles.

Ensure continuous transport of goods and manufacturing materials/ingredients. Local governments must annul all travel restriction or prohibition measures that are against Directive No. 16/CT-TTg .

4. Heads of regulatory bodies, units, organizations and enterprises shall facilitate working from home in a manner that suits their respective situations and prevents stagnation, especially tasks that must be done before deadlines or within a prescriptive period according to regulations of laws, and public services for people and enterprises.

5. Relevant local governments and ministries shall proactively modify measures for COVID-19 prevention and control in accordance with the abovementioned contents; cooperate in resolving arising problems within their respective competences; strictly handle violations and promptly report arising difficulties to the Prime Minister.

For your reference and compliance./.