Plan 243/KH-UBND Hanoi 2021 implementing the Interim Regulation on safe adaptation to COVID-19 pandemic

PLAN

On implementing the Interim Regulation on “safe and flexible adaptation and effective control over the COVID-19 pandemic”

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Pursuant to Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP dated October 11, 2021 of the Government promulgating the Interim Regulation on “safe and flexible adaptation and effective control over the COVID-19 pandemic”; Decision No. 4800/QD-BYT dated October 13, 2021 of the Ministry of Health issuing the Interim Guidance for implementation of the Government’s Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP dated October 11, 2021 promulgating the Interim Regulation on “safe and flexible adaptation and effective control over the COVID-19 pandemic”; Directive No. 08-CT/TU dated October 14, 2021 of the Standing Commission of the Municipal Party Committee on strengthening leadership and directing the “safe and flexible adaptation and effective control over the COVID-19 pandemic” in ​​Hanoi, the People's Committee of Hanoi formulates a plan to implement the Interim Regulation on “safe and flexible adaptation and effective control over the COVID-19 pandemic” as follows:

I. OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS

To maximally protect the people's health and life; to minimize infected cases, severe illness development, and deaths due to COVID-19; to promote socio-economic restoration and development as well as ensure security, social order, and safety; to realize the dual goals of bringing the city to a new normal as soon as possible.

II. CLASSIFICATION, ASSESSMENT AND DETERMINATION OF PANDEMIC RISK LEVELS

1. Pandemic risk classification

- Level 1: Low-risk (new normal) - labeled green.

- Level 2: Medium-risk - labeled yellow.

- Level 3: High-risk - labeled orange.

- Level 4: Very high-risk - labeled red.

2. Scope of pandemic risk level assessment

Assessing from the commune, ward, and township level. It is encouraged to assess from the smallest scope and size as possible (lower than the commune level) to ensure the flexibility and efficiency.

3. Criteria used for assessing the pandemic risk levels

3.1. Criterion 1: New confirmed cases in the community/population/duration.

Requirements for Criterion 1: New confirmed cases in the community/100,000 population/week.

New confirmed cases in the community/100,000 population/week (new confirmed cases) are classified into 04 low-to-high levels (level 1: 0 - < 20; level 2: 20 - <50; level 3: 50 - <150; level 4: ≥150). In the course of implementation, the districts and towns shall summarize and propose the reduction or increase in the number of new confirmed cases specified for each level in accordance with the actual situation.

Calculation: New confirmed cases in the community/100,000 population/week = [(New confirmed cases of the current week + New confirmed cases of the previous week)/(2 x population in the locality)] x 100,000. New confirmed cases in the community do not include confirmed cases on entry and confirmed cases being in concentrated quarantine facilities.

3.2. Criterion 2: Vaccination coverage.

Requirements for Criterion 2: Percentage of people aged 18 years and older who have gotten at least 01 shot of COVID-19 vaccine.

a) Percentage of people aged 18 years and older who have gotten at least one shot of COVID-19 vaccine is divided by 2 levels (≥70% of people aged 18 years and older received at least 1 shot of vaccine; <70% of people aged 18 years and older received at least 1 shot of vaccine).

b) In October 2021, it is required that at least 80% of people aged 65 years and older are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. From November 2021, it is required that at least 80% of people aged 50 years and older are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

3.3. Criterion 3: Ensuring the receipt and treatment capacity of medical examination and treatment establishments at all levels.

Requirements for Criterion 3: Ensuring the receipt and treatment capacity of medical examination and treatment establishments at all levels

a) The city has a plan to set up receipt and treatment establishments and a plan to ensure adequate ICU beds at medical examination and treatment establishments under the city (including private establishments) to be ready to respond to the level-4 pandemic risk: This criterion is obligatory and applied at municipal level, regardless of their pandemic risk levels.

Hanoi People's Committee shall approve plans to set up COVID-19 treatment and receipt establishments and plans to ensure adequate ICU beds at medical examination and treatment establishments under the province or city (including private establishments) as prescribed in Decision No. 4111/QD-BYT dated August 26, 2021 of the Ministry of Health on promulgating the Guidance for setting up the 3-storey tower COVID-19 treatment establishments and Decision No. 2626/QD-BYT dated May 28, 2021 of the Ministry of Health on promulgating the list of needs for equipment, consumables and essential drugs of COVID-19 treatment areas (in the plans, their current receipt and treatment capacity and plans for the addition are required).

b) Districts and towns (districts) have plans to set up mobile health stations/teams and have plans to provide medical oxygen for health stations of communes, wards, townships (communes) to respond to the pandemic, in cases of outbreak of the pandemic:

People's Committees of the districts and towns approve plans to provide medical oxygen for health stations of communes to respond to the pandemic, in cases of outbreak of the pandemic; plans to set up mobile health stations according to Decision No. 4042/QD-BYT dated August 21, 2021 of the Ministry of Health on promulgating the interim guidelines for mobile health stations in the context of COVID-19 pandemic, and teams taking care of COVID-19 cases in the community according to Decision No. 4349/QD-BYT dated September 10, 2021 of the Ministry of Health on promulgating guidelines for setting up teams taking care of COVID-19 cases in the community; have plans to set up mobile health stations at industrial zones and clusters (in combination with health departments at production and business establishments); participate in drills to be ready to respond the pandemic when necessary.

4. Pandemic risk classification in accordance with the Government’s Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP dated October 11, 2021 shall be in accordance with the following table:

Change of pandemic risk levels:

- In case the locality fails to satisfy Criterion 3, the pandemic risk level shall remain the same.

- The pandemic risk level shall be increased by one level, if the locality:

+ In October 2021, fails to reach the target of at least 80% of people aged 65 years and older being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

+ In November 2021, fails to reach the target of at least 80% of people aged 50 years and older being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

(Unless the locality is suffering level-4 pandemic risk or records no confirmed case).

- Time for assessment: 01 time/week (Announce the pandemic risk level in every Friday)

- In case of changing the pandemic risk level to a higher level, it is necessary to notify the people, organizations, and enterprises 48 hours in advance for preparation.

- In the course of implementation, based on the actual situation, the Departments, agencies, sectors of the city, districts and towns summarize the difficulties and problems in implementing the criteria and report them to Hanoi People's Committee in writing for it to make a summary report to the Ministry of Health and the Government.

III. MEASURES APPLIED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PANDEMIC RISK LEVEL

Medical measures, including quarantine, testing, treatment, and vaccination, are implemented at all levels under the guidance of the Ministry of Health.

1. Administrative measures applied in accordance with the pandemic risk level

The pandemic risk level of the city by October 29, 2021 (According to the Criteria provided in Decision No. 4800/QD-BYT dated October 13, 2021 of the Ministry of Health):

+ The number of new confirmed cases in the community last week (October 15 to October 21): 0 case.

+ The number of new confirmed cases in the community this week (October 22 to October 28): 63 cases.

New confirmed cases in the community/100,000 people/week:

[63/(2x8,300,000)] x 100,000 people = 0.38 case.

+ Currently, the rate of people aged 18 and older in the city who have gotten at least 01 shot of COVID-19 vaccine is over 92%.

+ The rate of people over 65 years old being fully vaccinated is 47.12%: Lower than 80%

Therefore, according to the criteria and guidelines for adjusting the pandemic risk level, the pandemic risk level of Hanoi is level 2.

Administrative measures generally applied to the whole city corresponding to the pandemic risk level 2 are listed in the Appendix (however, there are some communes and wards that are levels 3 and 4).

2. Specialized medical measures

2.1. Capacity preparation for response to COVID-19 pandemic

In order to ensure the safe and flexible adaptation and effective control over the COVID-19 pandemic, the localities shall prepare the following contents:

a) Develop scenarios and plans to ensure healthcare for COVID-19 prevention and control at each pandemic risk level; organize the implementation when recording confirmed cases in localities.

b) Strengthen the training and education to improve the capacity of tracing, testing, quarantine and treatment in localities.

c) Improve the capacity of receiving, treating and taking care of COVID-19 cases:

- Develop plans to receive, take care of and treat COVID-19 cases (F0 cases), especially plans to ensure adequate ICU beds. Update data and manage the software on establishments receiving and treating F0 cases.

- Prepare plans when there is an outbreak: Medical examination and treatment establishments at district level or higher must have liquid oxygen and compressed air; health stations of communes, wards or townships must ensure to provide adequate medical oxygen; prepare plans to organize mobile health stations.

- Organize medical examination and treatment establishments that provide treatment for both patients suffering normal diseases and COVID-19 patients. Ensure the ability to separate and screen suspected cases visiting medical examination and treatment establishments to detect infected cases, intensively manage them to avoid cross-infection in the establishments.

2.2. Testing

- Tests shall be conducted for those who show any of the following symptoms, including fever, cough, fatigue, sore throat, loss of taste and smell, dyspnea, etc.

- Random and periodic screening tests shall be conducted by health agencies in high-risk areas with crowded people, such as medical examination and treatment establishments, wholesale markets, bus stations and supermarkets, etc.; at-risk groups (people who travel to many places, or contact many people, etc.) such as drivers, motorbike taxi drivers, goods deliverers (shippers), etc.

- Production and business establishments, service providers, trade centers, supermarkets, agencies and offices: self-organize random tests for SARS-CoV-2 for people at substantial risk of infection.

- Testing shall be implemented under the guidelines of the Ministry of Public Security in high-risk and particularly high-risk areas and zones.

- Not indicate testing for the citizens’ movements; only require testing for people who come from level-4 pandemic risk areas or locked-down areas, and suspected cases or people who come from level-3 pandemic risk areas and are subject to epidemiological investigation.

- Fully vaccinated people and those who have recovered from COVID-19: Testing is only required at the request for epidemiological investigation; people subject to quarantine or medical monitoring, and people who come from level-4 pandemic risk areas or locked-down areas.

- Carrying out testing to handle outbreaks: Based on risk factors, pandemic developments and risk levels of the outbreaks, localities shall decide on subjects and areas for testing.

- Pool testing shall be conducted in case of periodic testing or screening.

2.3. Quarantine

a) People who come from pandemic-hit areas (level-4 pandemic risk areas or locked-down areas), and close contacts (F1 cases): Comply with current instructions provided by the Ministry of Health.

b) Older people, those with underlying medical problems, pregnant women and people under 18 years of age (children): Subject to home-quarantine with their caregivers.

2.4. Vaccination against COVID-19

Speed up the vaccination against COVID-19, prioritize the vaccines to people aged 50 or older, those with underlying medical problems, pregnant women, employees working at industrial parks or clusters, etc.

A vaccination plan for children under 18 years of age shall be formulated under the guidance of the Ministry of Health.

2.5. Treatment for F0 cases

At receipt and treatment establishments under the city (comply with current specialized instructions provided by the Ministry of Health).

2.6. The assurance of COVID-19 prevention and control at production and business establishments, trade centers, supermarkets, restaurants, education and training institutions, drivers of transporting vehicles shall comply with current instructions provided by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

IV. ORGANIZATION OF IMPLEMENTATION

1. The Department of Health shall

a) Promulgate guidelines on criteria for classification and assessment of pandemic risk levels and medical measures; in which, attention is paid to the factor of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 or recovery from COVID-19 in regulations related to travel, quarantine, production, business organization and participation in crowded events.

b) Continue to take solutions to improve capacity for the health system, especially preventive medicine, to fulfill the healthcare at grassroots level; implement the national COVID-19 vaccination campaign in a safe, scientific and effective manner; develop a roadmap to give COVID-19 vaccines for children and COVID-19 vaccine booster shots.

c) Update and publicize pandemic-hit areas and pandemic risk levels in all localities as well as the locked-down areas in the city on the e-portals of the city and the Ministry of Health to serve as a basis for taking measures to manage people from pandemic-hit areas and other localities.

d) Assume the prime responsibility for and coordinate with the Capital Command and the Municipal Police Department in, preparing mobile forces to promptly strengthen districts, towns and cities in case the epidemic exceeds their control capacity.

e) To assume the prime responsibility for and coordinate with the Capital Command and the Department of Construction in, reviewing the medical establishments in the city that receive and treat F0 cases without symptoms.

2. The Capital Command shall

- Assume the prime responsibility for and coordinate with the Department of Health, the Department of Construction, districts and towns in reviewing the concentrated quarantine facilities for F1 cases in the city after students are allowed to go to school.

- Continue to mobilize military forces, especially the military medical force, militia and self-defense forces to closely coordinate with the health sector and localities in pandemic prevention and control; participate in the production and help people in the quarantined areas.

3. The Municipal Police Department of Hanoi shall

a) Assume the prime responsibility for organizing functional forces to ensure order and security, social security and cybersecurity, especially at the grassroots level and in quarantine areas and zones; strengthen the fight against crimes, especially those who oppose functional forces in COVID-19 prevention and control; strictly handle those who take advantage of pandemic prevention and control policies.

b) Continue to closely cooperate with the Department of Health, districts and towns in organizing and arranging forces to participate in COVID-19 prevention and control.

c) Direct the communal and regional police forces to actively coordinate with militia and civil defense forces, self-management teams, and members of mass organizations, especially volunteers of Youth Union chapters and veterans, etc. in tracking and monitoring the travelling of people, especially those coming to the city from other localities.

Detect and strictly handle violations of regulations on COVID-19 prevention and control.

d) Connect the database on population with the database on vaccination, testing and management of infected patients who have recovered from COVID-19 in order to consistently apply QR codes on citizen’s identity cards (or appropriate forms for those who have not been granted new citizen’s identity cards), serving the management of citizens’ travelling as well as the prevention and control of COVID-19.

4. The Department of Information and Communications shall

a) Assume the prime responsibility for and coordinate with relevant units in promoting the application of information technology, including continuing to effectively use three compulsory technology platforms that are shared across the country in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic, serving the management, monitoring and supervision in accordance with the regulations. Promote the role of the hotline 1022, receive and process information related to the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

b) Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Municipal Party Committee’s Commission for Information and Education in directing press agencies in Hanoi, sign coordination regulations between Central-level press agencies and the city, and direct the grassroots-level information systems to proactively and promptly provide information and disseminate knowledge about COVID-19 prevention and control; coordinate with information and communications agencies  and enterprises to strengthen the dissemination of information and spread positive contents in order to obtain the consensus the society; promote citizens’ voluntary spirit for safe and flexible adaptation and effective control over the COVID-19 pandemic, fight and strictly handle distorting, agitating and false statements about the pandemic prevention and control of the city.

5. The Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs shall

a) Assume the prime responsibility for organizing the implementation of regimes and policies to support those affected by COVID-19.

b) Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with relevant agencies in, proposing solutions to ensure social security and support children, employees and employers; proposing solutions to restore the labor market.

6. The Department of Foreign Affairs shall

Continue to coordinate with other departments and sectors in diplomatic work. Stay connected with embassies, international organizations, diplomats, foreigners living and working in the city, summarize experiences of other countries on safe adaptation to COVID-19 and timely report them to the city, popularize and mobilize foreigners to implement pandemic preventive measures under the city's regulations.

7. The Department of Industry and Trade shall

a) Direct the work of securing goods, raw materials and energy to meet the requirements of production and business recovery, socio-economic development; Ensure smooth circulation of goods, avoid obstructing supply activities.

b) Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with agencies in, proposing competent authorities to remove difficulties and obstacles for businesses; providing best support for enterprises to maintain and restore their production to keep orders and supply chains.

c) Ensure adequate and timely supply of food, foodstuffs and necessities for units and localities, especially local units under lockdown.

8. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development shall

a) Proactively and rationally adjust agricultural production plans to avoid supply shortages in the near future. Search out domestic raw materials to produce feed for cattle and poultry, reducing the dependence upon imported sources.

b) Actively seek markets for agricultural products in the harvest season, especially those in key animal husbandry and agricultural production areas; and closely coordinate with the Department of Transport, the Department of Industry and Trade and localities in ensuring favorable conditions for the transportation and consumption of agricultural products.

9. The Department of Transport shall

Regularly update itself with the directions and guidelines of the Ministry of Transport, based on which to:

a) Guide construction activities of traffic projects and works, ensuring “safe and flexible adaptation and effective control over the COVID-19 pandemic”.

b) Review guidance and plans for inter-provincial transport and traffic activities as well as goods circulation, ensuring the continuity of production and supply chains.

10. The Department of Construction shall

a) Guide construction activities of construction projects and works, ensuring “safe and flexible adaptation and effective control over the COVID-19 pandemic”.

b) Update requirements of ensuring prevention and control of COVID-19 pandemic and infectious diseases in construction master plans, especially housing master plans for workers in industrial parks and clusters, etc.

c) Coordinate with the Capital Command, the Department of Health, districts and towns in reviewing the concentrated quarantine facilities for F1 cases in the city after students are allowed to go to school as well as maintaining the medical establishments in the city that receive and treat F0 cases without symptoms.

11. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment shall

a) Review guidance on settlement, transportation of wastes generated in COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control;

b) Direct the strengthening of capacity for safe waste treatment in COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control.

12. The Department of Finance shall

Propose mechanisms and solutions to ensure resources for pandemic prevention and control; propose and develop policies to promote the community participation and public-private partnership for pandemic prevention and control.

13. The Department of Planning and Investment shall

a) Assume the prime responsibility for formulating and perfecting strategies and plans for socio-economic recovery and development.

b) Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with relevant agencies in, proposing solutions to remove difficulties and support enterprises; preferential policies to attract foreign investors.

14. The Department of Education and Training shall

a) Coordinate with the Department of Health in reviewing the guidance on COVID-19 prevention and control in education and training activities.

b) Continue to carry out solutions to ensure the safe and effective implementation of the 2021-2022 school year, in line with the pandemic situation in each locality in the city; develop scenarios suitable for the situations when students are allowed to go to school.

c) Coordinate with the Department of Health in organizing the vaccination for students at ages eligible for vaccination.

15. The Department of Culture and Sports and the Department of Tourism shall review and guide the “safe and flexible adaptation and effective control over the COVID-19 pandemic” in cultural, sport, and tourist activities based on the guidelines of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

16. The Department of Science and Technology shall

Mobilize scientists and experts in researching and proposing solutions to COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control; strengthen research and implementation of research programs, scientific and technological tasks on vaccines, biological products, equipment, etc. for COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control.

17. The Department of Justice shall

a) Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with relevant agencies in, amending law regulations hindering production and business activities in pandemic situation.

b) Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with relevant agencies in, proposing the application of regulations on sanctioning administrative violations due to objective circumstances and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

18. The Department of Home Affairs shall

a) Review guidance on the operation of religious, belief and worship establishments, places and activities, ensuring COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control.

b) Advise the Municipal People’s Department to launch emulation movements in COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control, socio-economic recovery and development. Coordinate with the Department of Health, other departments, sectors and localities in timely proposing commendation for collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements in COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control, and economic recovery.

19. The Hanoi Committee for Ethnic Affairs shall

a) Coordinate with the Department of Health, the Department of Information and Communications and localities to mobilizing citizens in ethnic minority areas to participate in COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control.

b) Coordinate with the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs in proposing support policies to ensure social security for ethnic minorities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

20. The Municipal Inspectorate of Hanoi shall

Direct the organization of periodic and irregular inspection in COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control for preventing and fighting negative acts, corruption, wastefulness, negligence and distraction.

21. The Hanoi Radio and Television Station, and the newspapers: Hanoimoi, Kinh te & Do thi, shall

Strengthen communication work to create the society’s participation in implementing the change of strategies for COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control in accordance with the resolutions of the Government and the plans of the city’s authorities. Reflect and analyze the results of pandemic prevention and control, socio-economic recovery, promote the nation’s traditional values in pandemic prevention and control. Timely encourage and praise examples of collectives and individuals, anti-pandemic models, effective realization of dual goals.

Fight and refute distorting, agitating and false statements about the pandemic prevention and control of the city. Promote the provision of information on the situation and forecast of the pandemic in the world, Vietnam and the city; scientific and technical advances, innovative solutions to pandemic prevention and control.

22. The Hanoi Committee of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front, organizations and unions are required to

a) Strengthen the coordination with authorities at all levels to encourage people in raising their awareness of, and voluntary compliance with, pandemic prevention and control measures; continue to encourage organizations and enterprises to both implement pandemic prevention and control, remedy for consequences caused by the pandemic and maintain, develop production and business activities, etc. promote all citizens’ spirit of creativity in pandemic prevention and control, realization of dual goals. Continue to preside and coordinate activities to support the pandemic prevention and control in the city.

b) Proactively coordinate with authorities at all levels in effectively solving pressing social problems at grassroots level, participating in information dissemination, advocacy and monitoring of the implementation of pandemic prevention and control measures at localities.

27. People's Committees of districts and towns shall

a) Formulate and organize the implementation of the plans for safe and flexible adaptation and effective control over the COVID-19 pandemic with a specific and feasible roadmap, ensuring effective control over the COVID-19 pandemic. Organize the effective implementation of pandemic prevention and control measures in line with pandemic development in each locality.

b) Comply with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and the Hanoi Department of Health on testing, quarantine and health monitoring for people coming from pandemic areas and other localities; people entering the country (including children who have not been vaccinated or have not gotten full doses of vaccine); people who have completed concentrated quarantine and may go smoothly to their places of residence/accommodation or workplaces for production recovery and development.

c) Update information and data to serve the determination of pandemic risk level in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and the Hanoi Department of Health.

Depend on the pandemic situation in the localities and the criteria of the Ministry of Health to self-assess the pandemic risk level of communes, wards and townships, the results of which will be sent to the Department of Health (via the city’s Center for Disease Control) for it to summarize and report to Hanoi People's Committee to announce in accordance with the regulations.

Based on the pandemic risk levels of the communes, wards and townships to apply appropriate measures to ensure the goals of safe, flexible adaptation and effective control over the COVID-19 pandemic.

d) Direct the implementation of measures to prevent and control the COVID-19 pandemic and restore economic development with the spirit of initiative, creativity, firmly grasping the situation, not being subjective; ensure the “four-on-the-spot” motto; carry out the procurement for COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control in accordance with regulations, strictly ensuring the publicity and transparency, avoiding negative acts, wastefulness and corruption.

e) Uphold the role of the community COVID-19 prevention and control teams (with the police as the core force); militia and civil defense forces, self-management teams, and members of mass organizations, especially volunteers of Youth Union chapters and veterans, etc. in tracking and monitoring the movements of people, especially those coming to the city from other localities. Encourage good models and creative methods, such as the "Inter-family self-governing model" of Son Tay town.

dd) Strengthen the work of urging, inspecting, supervising and promoting the autonomy, flexibility, creativity and self-responsibility of agencies, units at the grassroots level, prepare necessary conditions to be ready to quickly respond to the possible pandemic developments.

Hanoi People's Committee hereby requests the Hanoi Committee of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front and its attached mass organizations; heads of departments, sectors, mass organizations, People's Committees of districts and towns to implement the contents of the Plan, report the results of implementation to Hanoi People's Committee (via the Department of Health)./.

(This plan can be adjusted and supplemented depending on the actual pandemic situation in the city and under the directions of the Government.)

* All Appendices are not translated herein.