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Ho Chi Minh City has proposed 8 specific solutions to deal with the Omicron variant. Hanoi has also requested to strengthen management and supervision of entry from countries where the Omicron variant has been recorded; and inspected pandemic prevention and control in high-risk areas such as hospitals, production facilities, markets, supermarkets, railway stations, airports and bus stations.
Notably, localities are required to maximize the management and treatment of mild and asymptomatic known cases at home; and be ready to activate treatment facilities.
In Hanoi, city leaders asked localities to strictly comply with international health quarantine regulations, especially, requiring passengers to have a negative test within 72 hours upon entry into Vietnam; strengthening the control of the certificate of negative test results, and the medical declaration of passengers on entry.
The city also requested relevant agencies to strengthen the review of passengers coming from countries and regions where the new variant has been recorded and spread, such as southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Lesotho and Mozambique).
For flights originating from or with passengers arriving from countries where the Omicron variant is present, it is mandatory to carry out centralized isolation for people entering from these countries, regardless of their vaccination status or previous COVID-19 infections.
In addition to the request to strengthen supervision and early detection of suspected cases of Omicron variant in residential areas, agencies, enterprises and businesses, the City People's Committee also proposed to organize health monitoring activities at medical facilities, in the community, at agencies, units and businesses, especially in cases related to immigrants.
The City People's Committee also requires laboratories to proactively detect early cases of Omicron variant infection through tests.
In addition, it is possible to organize random surveillance of some other suspected cases depending on the pandemic situation in the country and in the world.
Earlier, at a meeting between leaders of the Ministry of Health and representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Vietnam, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Southeast Asia, both WHO and CDC emphasized four factors in controlling and responding to the Omicron variant, including enhanced surveillance and testing for early detection of the new Omicron variant; promotion of vaccination; strengthening of the health system; and increased communications on preventive measures.
According to Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son, Vietnam's main goal in the coming time is to strengthen the protection of high-risk people, quickly detect new variants entering Vietnam, and strengthen measures to monitor, trace, investigate and handle outbreaks.
The Ministry of Health directs localities to organize vaccination against COVID-19 for people in many forms, giving priority to people with underlying diseases and those who are over 50 years old.
The goal is to complete the 2nd injection for people aged 12-18 years old by January 2022, and complete the 3rd dose for people 18 years of age and older in the first quarter of 2022./.