Over half of Covid budget spent

The main expenses were anti-Covid-19 measures, vaccine purchases and supporting workers and businesses, according to a report by the Ministry of Finance.

This amount includes an additional VND14.62 trillion ($640 million) the National Assembly approved on Wednesday to cover Covid-19 expenses at the government's request.

This means the country now has nearly VND48.1 trillion left to combat the pandemic.

The finance ministry estimates the country would need to spend VND36-40 trillion in the upcoming months on Covid-19.

Ninety percent of localities have spent most or all of their contingencies on Covid-19 expenses and are seeking more support from the central government.

Vietnam has recorded nearly 714,500 Covid-19 cases in the fourth wave, including over 11,500 Wednesday.