Some Covid prevention protocols no longer suitable: HCMC top official

In August 2020, the Ministry of Health issued protocols in order to contain the Covid spread, warning people to wear a mask, disinfect their hands, keep a distance from each other, avoid crowds and complete health declarations.

Since then, given the complicated development of the pandemic, the protocols have become a mandate and those who fail to follow will be dealt with according to the law.

However, "given the current situation, only wearing a mask and disinfecting your hands are feasible," Nguyen Van Nen, secretary of the HCMC’s Party Committee, told a city meeting Wednesday.

As the city has already reopened, with students returning to school and adults to the office, it is very difficult for people to stay away from each other and avoid gatherings, especially when students remain in class during lunch and nap times.

"The situation has changed and if we keep applying the same protocols without making any adjustments, it would create obstacles for people," he said.

Regarding a recent proposal by the Ministry of Health on having Covid-19 close contacts go to work under certain conditions, the city's Chairman Phan Van Mai said related agencies and departments should make proposals regarding the set of Covid-19 safety criteria for each sector.

Close contacts of Covid-19 that have no signs of infection should continue working as normal while Covid-19 patients that are healthy enough be assigned suitable tasks.

"For now, many offices still make Covid-19 patients isolate for seven-ten days and in case there are many cases at once, their operations will be seriously affected," said Mai.