France’s daily newspaper Le Figaro ran an article on April 19 explaining how Viet Nam has limited the spread of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in the community.

Rather than extensive testing like the RoK and Singapore, Viet Nam focuses on tracing possible contacts with infection cases (Source: VNA)

With 268 infections, including 198 fully recovering and zero fatality, Viet Nam, which borders China, where the Covid-19 originated, has become an example in the fight against the pandemic for Western countries, the article said.

It quoted Kidong Park, the World Health Organisation representative in Viet Nam, in his interview granted to the “Journal du dimanche” newspaper, as saying that right after the first cases reported in China, Viet Nam has stayed vigilant to this threat.

In mid-January, a committee on disease response was established, gathering representatives of relevant ministries and sectors, doctors and scientists to make forecasts on the disease outbreak.

In a meeting, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc also declared a “war” against the Covid-19 and required all people to “fight the disease like fighting the enemy”.

Compared to other Asian nations like the Republic of Korea and Singapore, Viet Nam does not have enough financial resources to combat the pandemic. Therefore, the 94-million-people nation has conducted a “low-cost” strategy by focusing on massive quarantine and tracing of all possible contacts with infections (known as F1, F2, F3 and F4), the article stressed.

It said that Viet Nam has ordered a compulsory 14-day quarantine period for all people entering the country, suspended all flights linking to China right after it recorded the first case, and tightened the control over the 1,000km land border line,

The closure of all schools after the lunar New Year holiday in late January, and locals’ face mask wearing when going out are also among measures taken by the country, it added.

The article also affirmed that these measures have been implemented effectively thanks to the abidance of the inhabitants and their support for the Government’s efforts.

Source: VNA