Be bold in economic reopening, businesses appeal

Businesses should have autonomy in preventing the spread of Covid-19 and should be held responsible when failing, Tran Ba Duong, chairman of automaker Truong Hai Auto Corporation (Thaco) told Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at an online conference Sunday.

Being able to maintain production while combating the disease is key to businesses, he added.

Duong also proposed companies are allowed to import Covid-19 rapid test kits on their own. Currently they need to acquire permits from the Ministry of Health to do this.

Chu Tien Dung, chairman of HCMC Union of Business Association (HUBA), said reopening is needed to be done immediately, he said, adding more details should be announced on the reopening plan and criteria for Covid-19 control.

Other businesses proposed only areas at high risk be tested to reduce the financial burden.

Some companies consider the green Covid-19 pass the key factor in reopening the economy.

Chairman of leading tourism company Vietravel, Nguyen Quoc Ky, said the pass would boost the recovery of tourism companies, which have only been operating for three months this year, serving only domestic customers.

PM Chinh said the government is preparing guidelines to ensure Covid-19 control upon reopening, but as these policies would have a large impact nationwide, it is taking prudent steps.

Policies would be updated and gradually completed along the way, he said, adding localities need to take businesses’ proposals into account when imposing policies to avoid causing difficulties.

The government is also drawing up plans for sustainable economic recovery by 2023, the PM said.

Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The said he had conducted many meetings with localities to ensure smooth movement of goods as some have issued "inappropriate" regulations that caused troubles for businesses.

These regulations should be revoked, he added.

Vietnam has recorded over 756,600 Covid-19 cases in the fourth wave, with over 10,000 added Sunday.