Resolution 86/NQ-CP on COVID-19 prevention, control measures to implement Resolution 30/2021/QH15

RESOLUTION

On urgent COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control measures to implement the Resolution No. 30/2021/QH15 dated July 28, 2021 of the 15th National Assembly

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THE GOVERNMENT

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated June 19, 2015 and the Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Law on Organization of the Government and the Law on Organization of Local Administration dated November 22, 2019;

Pursuant to the Resolution No. 30/2021/QH15 dated July 28, 2021, on the first session of the 15^th National Assembly;

Pursuant to the Resolution No. 268/NQ-UBTVQH15 dated August 06, 2021 of the National Assembly Standing Committee, permitting the Government to issue the Resolution with a number of contents different from law regulations for COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control requirements;

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 138/2016/ND-CP dated October 01, 2016 promulgating the working regulation of the Government;

At the proposal of the Minister of Health and consents of the members of the Government,

RESOLVES:

The COVID-19 pandemic, with the appearance of the Delta variant, still sees complicated development. Specifically, it is spreading quickly rapidly and causing high mortality in many countries around the world, especially in Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, this fourth outbreak, with a very fast transmission speed, has spread to many localities with the largest scale ever and continues to develop unpredictably. Especially, the pandemic has spread to many areas of Ho Chi Minh City and some Southern provinces with a large number of infected cases, greatly damaging to the citizens’ health and life, seriously affecting the performance of socio-economic development tasks.

Under the leadership and direction of the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat, the General Secretary, the National Assembly, the President, the National Assembly Chairman and the close coordination of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Vietnam; along with upholding the spirit of “fighting against the pandemic like fighting against the enemy”, the Government and the Prime Minister have promptly issued many resolutions, directives and documents to focus on directing authorities at all levels, branches and localities to drastically, synchronically and flexibly implement tasks and solutions for COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control to adapt to the situation; concurrently mobilized the participation of the entire political system and the active participation of the enterprise community and the people; giving priority to the people’s life and health, thereby the pandemic has been gradually controlled, bringing life back to the “new normal” soon.

The Government recognizes and highly appreciates the sense of responsibility, determination, solidarity and consensus to prevent and control the pandemic of authorities at all levels, branches, localities, enterprise community and the people; especially commends the frontline forces in fighting against the pandemic, doctors, nurses, technicians, officers, health staff, military officers and soldiers, police forces, officers at grassroots level and volunteers who have made great efforts in the COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control, protecting and taking care of the people’s health.

However, there are still many agencies, units and localities that have not yet taken seriously and decisively measures for COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control according to regulations, even showing the subjectivity and neglect; lack of urging, lack of inspection and supervision. In particular, the organization of implementation is still a weak and slow stage to be overcome, especially at grassroots level in some localities.

In addition, the “four on-spot” motto is not implemented seriously, properly and responsibly with many limitations in many localities, leading to confusion when the situation and pandemic developments change. The vaccination is not organized in a rapid, scientific and effective manner. The management and control of people entering and leaving the pandemic areas are not carried out in a serious and strict manner. There is still a lack of safety and congestion in the transport and circulation of goods. A number of organizations, enterprises and people are not aware of the danger and rapid spread of the Delta variant and have not fully and seriously complied with regulations on pandemic prevention and control.

In the coming time, the development of the COVID-19 pandemic still remains complicated and is difficult to predict, seriously threatening the people’s life and health, and greatly affecting many aspects of social life, especially in the context of limited vaccine supply, and in the immediate future, there is no specific treatment drug for this disease. Therefore, the COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control is an urgent, central and leading task of authorities at all levels, branches, localities and the entire population in the current period.

In the implementation of the Conclusion No. 11-KL/TW dated July 13, 2021 of the third plenum of the 13^th Party Central Committee, the Document No. 79-CV/TW dated January 29, 2020 of the Secretariat, the Notice No. 172-TB/TW dated March 21, 2020, on the conclusion of the Politburo on the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic, the conclusion of the Politburo in the Official Dispatch No. 50-CV/VPTW dated February 19, 2021 of the Party Central Committee Office, the Conclusion No. 07-KL/TW dated June 11, 2021 of the Politburo, on the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Official Telegram dated July 21, 2021 of the Standing Member of the Secretariat of the Secretariat, the call on preventing and combating the COVID-19 pandemic by the General Secretary on July 29, 2021 and the Resolution No. 30/2021/QH15 dated July 28, 2021 of the National Assembly, the Government has requested ministries, branches, localities, agencies and units within their assigned functions, tasks and competence, to strictly and effectively implement the guiding documents of the Party, the National Assembly, the President, and the call of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the Government's Resolutions No. 21/NQ-CP dated February 26, 2021, No. 78/NQ-CP dated July 20, 2021 and No. 79/NQ-CP dated July 22, 2021, the Prime Minister’s Directives No. 15/CT-TTg dated March 27, 2020 (the Directive 15), No. 16/CT-TTg dated March 31, 2020 (the Directive 16) and No. 19/CT-TTg dated April 24, 2020 (the Directive 19), the Decision No. 2686/QD-BCDQG dated May 31, 2021 (the Decision 2686) of the National Steering Committee for prevention and control of acute respiratory infections caused by a new strain of Coronavirus (the National Steering Committee) and other documents of central and local competent agencies.

In order to continue to focus on effectively preventing, repelling and controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, avoiding a health and socio-economic crisis, the Government unanimously promulgates a Resolution on urgent COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control measures to implement the Resolution No. 30/2021/QH15 dated July 28, 2021 of the 15^th National Assembly with principal contents as follows:

Article 1. Urgent measures

1. Regarding the application of the COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control measures:

Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities (provincial level) shall, based on the Decision No. 2686 of the National Steering Committee, proactively decide and direct subordinates to strictly apply solutions as prescribed, corresponding to the risk levels in line with the Directive 15, the Directive 16 and the Directive 19 of the Prime Minister and stricter restrictions could be imposed earlier; in which, special attention should be paid to the leadership and direction:

a) The application of pandemic prevention and control measures, especially social distancing measure, must be seriously, strictly, drastically and decisively implemented from the beginning at all levels, without hesitation or determination. Directions must adhere to reality with the spirit of “giving priority to effectiveness”, promoting the sense of responsibility, creativity and learning while implementing. Directions also must be gradually expanded, perfected and adjusted according to the situation in the spirit of non-perfectionism, without haste, subjectivity, neglect and loss of vigilance. Superiors must regularly urge and inspect subordinates, review stages, conditions and measures for pandemic prevention and control to be ready to respond quickly when the pandemic situation changes.

Localities shall, based on the general regulations of the central authorities, proactively promulgate according to their competence regulations on pandemic prevention and control, ensuring synchronization, consistency, effectiveness, efficiency, and conformity with the prevention and control requirements in the area. It is requested to pay special attention to direct the close coordination and timely communication between branches, localities, and People's Committees at all levels to promptly handle arising problems in accordance with the specific situation in the locality and accountable to the immediate superior.

b) All localities shall direct the strict implementation of the motto “going to every alley, knocking on every door, tracking every person”, detect and immediately handle people coming from pandemic areas or coming from other areas according to local regulations without declaring, people leaving the locality currently placed under social distancing without permission of competent authorities as prescribed.

Localities shall, based on the situation and requirements for pandemic prevention and control, actively and flexibly take necessary measures such as: Restricting a number of vehicles, asking people not to leave their places of residence for a certain period of time, in certain areas and geographical areas on the principle of “stay where they are”; not letting the people to leave the pandemic area without permission, causing the spread to other areas and localities; organizing forces to ensure security, social order and safety in pandemic areas; taking special measures on communication and use of means of communication; calling for, persuading, mobilizing and requisitioning asset, means, equipment and other measures that can be applied in a state of emergency to promptly prevent the pandemic from spreading within their competence. In case of necessity, Chairpersons of provincial-level People's Committees must report the Prime Minister before taking measures.

Violations such as non-compliance, obstruction or opposition to the implementation of regulations and measures on pandemic prevention and control issued by competent agencies shall be strictly handled, including criminal handling in accordance with the law.

The Ministry of Public Security shall direct the local public security forces to advise party committees, governments and act as the core in organizing the strict implementation of these tasks.

c) Localities currently placed under social distancing in line with the Directive 15 and the Directive 16 of the Prime Minister must strictly adhere to the principle that “various solutions shall be taken to implement one policy”,  avoiding the formal social distancing or “tight outside, loose inside”. From the first day of social distancing period: Within 14 days, the “green zones” must be identified and firmly protected; it is required to take specific measures and have roadmap to turn a “yellow zone” into “green zone”, “orange zone” into “yellow zone” and tightly zone up and narrow the “red zone”. Within 28 days, the situation in the area must be controlled, and the “red zones” must be isolated in the narrowest range.

Ho Chi Minh City must strive to control the pandemic before September 15, 2021.  Binh Duong, Long An and Dong Nai provinces shall strive to control the pandemic before September 01, 2021. Other provinces and cities shall strive to control the pandemic before August 25, 2021. The Ministry of Health shall provide specific instructions.

d) Along with strictly implementing social distancing measure to prevent and control the pandemic, ministries, branches and localities shall actively develop and implement plans to meet the demand for food, foodstuffs and necessities, leaving no one hungry, and at the same time must ensure safety requirements for pandemic prevention and control; promptly give first aid and treatment to people at all times and places.

2. Regarding health care:

The Ministry of Health shall closely follow the pandemic development in the country in particular and around the world in general, update progressive solutions in pandemic prevention, control and treatment to promptly promulgate or propose to promulgate amending documents, regulations and instructions. Guiding documents must be clear, easy to understand or remember, easy to do, monitor, check and evaluate; such documents must clearly state the mandatory (hard) requirements and principled contents so that on that basis, localities can uphold the spirit of initiative, responsibility and creativity upon implementation.

a) Regarding testing:

The Ministry of Health shall update, supplement, guide and promptly organize professional training in testing to ensure scientific, practical, effective, avoiding abuse and waste. The Ministry of Health shall provide instructions, recommendations and warnings about testing equipment and biological products for localities for active procurement. The Ministry of Health shall organize the centralized procurement of necessary supplies and equipment in the spirit of thrift and efficiency; strengthen the supervision and immediately correct localities where the procurement is organized unscientifically, fails to prevent the spread of the pandemic, and wastes money.

Localities shall direct the “speedy” testing of persons with high risk of infection in the area in order to detect F0 cases as quickly as possible for immediately tracing and classifying for treatment; must control without exception, prevent F0 cases from continuing to contact, or travel to spread the disease to the community.

Blockade areas must focus on testing to detect F0 cases as quickly as possible to prevent the disease from spreading to the community. For areas with widespread and deep spread such as Ho Chi Minh City and some neighboring provinces, it is necessary to perform synchronously in testing, care and treatment, ensuring the maximum reduction in the rate of severe disease, mortality rate and not letting the pandemic to spread to other areas.

b) Regarding screening and classifying infected cases and providing treatment for COVID-19 patients:

The Ministry of Health shall provide professional guidance; localities, ministries and sectors shall direct health agencies and medical establishments under their competence to screen and classify infected people according to their medical conditions and developments in order to take appropriate measures for effective monitoring, care and treatment, ensuring a reduction in the proportion of symptomatic cases and reduction in the rate of severe disease transfer at all treatment levels. A special attention should be paid to the management and care of asymptomatic cases; the proactive preparation of medical oxygen (especially the centralized oxygen system) at all treatment levels. It is required to appropriately coordinate and concentrate all resources and equipment to save and treat and reduce severe cases, and minimize mortality; maintain the safe operation of the medical examination and treatment system. The system of standing emergency services, ambulances, medical oxygen, ventilators and essential medical equipment for pandemic prevention and control, emergency and treatment of patients must be ensured.

c) Regarding drugs and vaccines for COVID-19:

- Under the Prime Minister's directions, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall promote “vaccine diplomacy” by all methods; promote aid, purchase and import of vaccines to quickly meet vaccination requirements as much as possible, to achieve herd immunity as soon as possible;

- The Ministry of Health shall, based on the direction and policies of the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister - the Head of the National Steering Committee, promptly allocate vaccines to provinces and cities, in which priority is given to localities with many infected people and many deaths, localities where the pandemic development is complicated and with fast-spreading speed, large and densely populated urban areas with many industrial zones, in line with the requirements for pandemic prevention and control of each locality and the vaccine allocation must be publicized. In case of necessity, the Minister of Health shall report to the Prime Minister for adjustment or the Prime Minister shall direct the Ministry of Health to adjust the allocation. The provincial-level People's Committees shall, based on the guidance of the Ministry of Health, decide on giving priority in vaccinating to appropriate subjects in an effective manner according to the pandemic situation;

- The Ministry of Health shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with ministries, branches and localities in, directing the organization of vaccination, ensuring the fastest, safe and effective progress, according to the pandemic situation in each locality; mobilize all public and private health forces and other support forces to carry out vaccination campaigns nationwide, especially in localities with many cases of infection; strengthen the search and encourage enterprises, organizations and individuals to actively seek sources and purchase vaccines and drugs for COVID-19. The Ministry of Health shall be responsible for inspecting, licensing, preserving, directing and guiding the organization of the free vaccination campaign for citizens;

- The Ministry of Health, the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and relevant ministries and agencies shall closely and effectively coordinate and direct to accelerate the progress of research and application, and transfer of technology, organize the clinical trials with establishments that research, transfer and manufacture vaccines, grant conditional use permits, manufacture vaccines and drugs to treat COVID-19 and equipment, medical supplies in the country to quickly meet the requirements of pandemic prevention and control at the lowest possible price; create favorable conditions for research, technology transfer, ensure fairness in technology transfer, manufacture of vaccines and drugs; consult other countries’ experiences and consult experts with the World Health Organization (WHO) when necessary;

- Based on the proposal of the Ministry of Health, ministries, agencies, units and the Ministry of Finance shall assume the prime responsibility for summarizing and submitting to competent authorities for decision on a number of appropriate and effective incentive and support policies for the research, application and transfer of technology for the manufacture of vaccines, drugs for COVID-19 and necessary medical equipment and supplies in the country.

d) Developing a scenario and ensuring the health care work to prevent and control the COVID-19 pandemic:

- Based on the level of risk and pandemic developments, the Ministry of Health shall develop scenarios for pandemic prevention and control at low, medium, and high levels and corresponding response plans to ensure the health care work nationwide. On that basis, the Ministry of Finance and relevant agencies shall, based on the fund balancing capacity of the state budget, allocate funds for procurement, reserve, and organize appropriate and effective forces to serve the pandemic prevention and control, report to the Government and the Prime Minister for consideration and decision in the third quarter of 2021. The provincial-level People's Committees shall, based on actual requirements for pandemic prevention and control in the locality, develop low, medium and high scenarios and corresponding response plans to ensure health care work in the area according to the competence. In case of beyond the competence, it is requested to report to the Government, the Prime Minister;

- Provincial-level People’s Committees shall, based on their local scenarios and plans, approve and actively establish and build COVID-19 receipt and treatment facilities; purchase medical equipment and supplies; reserve, arrange resources and organize forces for timely and effective pandemic prevention and control in localities;

- The Ministry of Health, ministries, branches and localities shall mobilize public and private health systems and social resources to promptly coordinate in the implementation of prevention, treatment, vaccination, and investment in facilities and measures to prevent and control the pandemic in a strict and effective manner according to regulations.

3. Regarding security and order assurance:

a) Chairpersons of provincial-level People's Committees shall direct and organize forces, agencies and units to focus on effectively performing the tasks of ensuring national defense, security, social order and safety, and crime prevention and control and other illegal acts; develop plans to proactively respond to complicated developments related to security and order in areas.

b) The Ministry of Public Security shall direct the public security force to coordinate with functional agencies and localities to strengthen close contact with the locality, strictly control the implementation of social distancing measure and pandemic prevention and control measures, focus on promoting the role of grassroots police, strictly handle violations of the law; closely coordinate with the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs to strengthen the management and safety of rehabilitation establishments and social relief establishments.

c) The Ministry of National Defence shall direct the military forces, especially the military medical forces, chemical troops, border guards, militia and self-defense forces to closely coordinate with localities in pandemic prevention and control; participate in the production and supply of equipment and supplies and in the relief of the people in the quarantine and blockade areas; attach importance to strict management of borders, trails, openings, exit and entry; maintain national independence and sovereignty.

4. Regarding production, supply, circulation and transportation of goods:

Ministries, branches and localities shall, according to their functions, tasks and powers, focus on directing:

a) To maintain production activities, avoid disrupting the supply chains of labor, goods, services, supplies and raw materials for production, but must ensure and create the highest conditions for COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control; only establishments that ensure safety for pandemic prevention and control according to regulations are allowed to operate.

b) To create the highest conditions for transportation and circulation of goods, supplies and raw materials for production, ensuring safety, connectivity, unity and smoothness among provinces, cities and localities; take strict control measures at the both ends of the supply chain, circulation and transportation of goods. To proactively take measures to support the production, supply and circulation of medical equipment and supplies, medicines, chemical, medical oxygen, vehicles and services for the COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control.

c) To ensure adequate and timely supply of food, foodstuffs and necessities, stabilize the people’s lives, especially ensure direct supply to people in blocked areas and areas currently placed under social distancing.

d) To mobilize public security forces, army, mass mobilization, Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations, social organizations, mass organizations, enterprise community, professional associations, fellow-countrymen association, etc. and the people of the whole country to participate in the production, supply, circulation and transportation of goods, especially food, foodstuffs and necessities to serve the people.

5. Regarding policies supporting and ensuring social security:

a) The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs and ministries, sectors and localities shall, based on their functions, tasks and competence, focus on directing:

- To effectively implement the Government's Resolution No. 68/NQ-CP dated July 01, 2021 and the Prime Minister's Decision No. 23/2021/QD-TTg dated July 07, 2021, on policies to support employees and employers hit by the COVID-19 pandemic; regularly review, update, not omit the beneficiaries or leave anyone hungry, closely monitor the situation and actual requirements to continue to expand or adjust appropriately the beneficiaries and minimize administrative procedures when performing this task;

- To take care of the people’s lives, especially people with meritorious services, policy families, poor households, women, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, vulnerable people, and those facing disadvantages or unemployed persons due to the COVID-19 pandemic and frontline forces in fighting the pandemic in a timely, substantive and effective manner.

b) The Ministry of Health shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Finance and relevant agencies in, expeditiously reviewing and proposing appropriate support policies and ensuring protective equipment for the frontline forces participating in pandemic prevention and control, doctors, nurses, technicians, health staff; officers and soldiers of the army, public security forces, grassroots officers and volunteers.

c) Localities should step up the establishment and organization of aid and relief centers, groups and teams with appropriate organizational forms and modes of operation to promptly meet people's needs and requirements for COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control in the area; establish and maintain a 24/7 hotline to promptly receive information from people about request for support in term of health care and essential activities; develop a medical surveillance system in the community to promptly support people; ensure protective equipment for volunteers of support and relief centers, etc.

6. Regarding information, communications and information technology application:

a) The Ministry of Health, the provincial-level Department of Health, the standing agency of the Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control at all levels shall act as the focal points to promptly provide official information on the pandemic and solutions to prevent and control the pandemic for people and enterprises; organize a team of experts and volunteers to timely provide guidance and support people in pandemic prevention and control and health care, especially F0 and F1 cases.

b) Chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees shall:

- Direct the organization to implement a unified communication focal point, strengthen the grassroots information system, regularly provide propaganda bulletins, disseminate, mobilize, guide and call people in the COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control; correct, oppose and fight against malicious, fabricated, fake and distorting information about pandemic prevention and control at all levels, sectors and localities;

- Effectively deploy shared technology platforms announced by the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defence and competent agencies; proactively deploy other technology applications suitable to shared technology platforms, promptly responding to the COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control requirements in the area;

- Organize and assign focal points to coordinate, connect and share information and data in a timely and effective manner with the Ministry of Information and Communication, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defence, the Government Office and other competent agencies.

c) The Ministry of Information and Communications and other ministries, sectors and localities shall, within the ambit of their assigned functions and tasks, take the following responsibilities:

- Directing network safety and security enterprises to be on duty 24/24 hours, ensuring smoothness, safety, and network security, especially information systems and technology platforms in service of the COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control;

- Directing functional forces and telecommunications enterprises to coordinate with other forces to be on duty 24/24 hours, prepare technical plans, measures and necessary tools to prevent and strictly handle malicious information in cyberspace;

- Closely coordinating with the Ministry of Health, the Central Propaganda Department and other ministries, branches and localities to unify the focal point, proactively providing and processing information in a timely and accurate manner; directing the press agencies to strengthen forms of communication, propaganda, inspiration, exemplarily laud good people, good deeds, good practices, effective models, and at the same time fighting against distorting, inciting, and untrue statements about COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control.

7. Regarding funding:

a) The Ministry of Finance, ministries, branches and localities shall:

- Prioritize arrangement and allocation of state budget and other lawful resources to ensure funding for COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control and COVID-19 patient treatment facilities; assign the Ministry of Health to summarize and report to the Prime Minister on the mechanism to support recurrent expenditures for public health facilities whose revenues are not enough to recover their expenditures due to the impact of the pandemic. Cut and reduce at least 50% of the remaining expenses for conferences, domestic and foreign affairs of ministries, central and local agencies (except for the expenses for important and urgent activities and expenses serving the pandemic prevention and control by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Public Security, and expenses for diplomatic operations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and save an additional 10% of the remaining recurrent expenditures of 2021, excluding salaries and other income; recover non-essential recurrent expenditures or recurrent expenditures that have not yet been implemented to supplement the central budget and local budgets, and prioritize funding for COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control;

- Regarding the adjustment and reduction of expenditures for unnecessary spending tasks to prioritize funding for pandemic prevention and control and the transfer of unused funding for pandemic prevention and control to next year: Ministries, central and local agencies shall actively implement according to their competence. In case of beyond their competence, they may propose the Ministry of Finance for summarization and submission to the competent authorities as prescribed.

b) If after reviewing, mobilizing and using local budgets and other lawful resources but still facing difficulties, the provincial-level People’s Committees shall, based on the requirements for COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control, propose the central budget to support the implementation. The Ministry of Finance shall assume the prime responsibility for reviewing, appraising and proposing the competent authorities to decide on the level of support and provision from the central budget to support localities.

c) The Ministry of Health shall preside and review the need for funding for the purchase, import and use of vaccines, and send it to the Ministry of Finance for synthesis and submission to the Prime Minister for decision on the use of the state budget and the COVID-19 Vaccine Fund.

The Ministry of Health shall determine the quantity of vaccines, equipment, medical supplies, medicines, chemicals, and means serving the COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control, which have been purchased at central level and actually allocated, distributed to localities and related expenses, and send them to the Ministry of Finance to summarize, monitor and determine the amount of local budget expenditures to be spent according to Clause 1, Article 3 of the Resolution No. 21/NQ-CP dated February 26, 2021 and Clause 3, Article 2 of the Resolution No. 79/NQ-CP dated July 22, 2021. The Ministry of Finance shall publicize the use of COVID-19 Vaccine Fund on mass media.

d) On the basis of the assigned budget estimates and other lawful funding sources, the ministries, branches, localities, agencies and units may actively decide on using and procuring according to the response plans and scenarios approved by the competent authorities; may purchase in a quantity higher than the actual demand to prevent the outbreak, but must minimize the waste of resources.

dd) The Ministry of Health shall, based on the assigned functions and tasks, assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with relevant ministries and branches in, proposing the supply of national reserve commodities to promptly serve the COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control, and send it to the Ministry of Finance to summarize and report to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision.

e) Regarding legal issues under the competence of the National Assembly or the National Assembly Standing Committee related to funding for COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control, ministries, branches, central and local agencies shall propose the Ministry of Finance for summarization and submission to the Government to report to the National Assembly Standing Committee for consideration and decision before implementation according to Point 3.2 of the National Assembly's Resolution No. 30/2021/QH15.

8. Regarding organization and human resources:

a) The Ministry of Health shall urgently submit the Prime Minister to perfect the National Steering Committee, improve the operational efficiency of the sub-committees under the Steering Committee to ensure streamlined, effective and efficient. Relevant ministries and agencies shall appoint participants and ensure their concentrated participation in the work of the National Steering Committee.

b) Localities shall urgently perfect and raise the effectiveness and efficiency of the activities of the Steering Committees for COVID-19 Prevention and Control at all levels in their localities according to the situation and requirements for pandemic prevention and control; organize a standing department to direct and coordinate around the clock, such department must be organized by specialized groups to promptly solve problems and requirements on materials, equipment, human resources, communication and transportation, aids and support, etc.

c) The ministries, branches and localities shall, based on the actual situation and requirements, consider and decide on establishing a command center to centrally direct and unify relevant agencies to perform tasks and solutions to prevent and control the COVID-19 pandemic within the ambit of the assigned functions and tasks.

d) Chairpersons of People’s Committees at all levels shall direct and mobilize medical facilities, agencies, units, enterprises, organizations and individuals in localities to actively participate in the pandemic prevention and control but must ensure safe conditions for pandemic prevention and control according to the pandemic situation and development.

9. Regarding strengthening the international cooperation:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall strengthen the international cooperation, continue to implement and promote the “vaccine diplomacy”; mobilize and promote partners to provide vaccines on time or earlier than the committed time; strengthen cooperation in research and technology transfer in the manufacture of vaccines and drugs for COVID-19; supporting medical equipment, supplies and biological products; assume the prime responsibility for proposing exit and entry policies according to the new situation; research and advise on the recognition and permission of “foreign vaccine passports” to be used in Vietnam; protect citizens; strengthen external information about Vietnam’s efforts and results in COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control, and Vietnam’s proactive and active international cooperation in pandemic prevention and control.

Article 2. Specific mechanisms and policies

1. The grant of certificates of registration for circulation and customs clearance of drugs and vaccines against COVID-19 shall be subject to the following mechanisms:

a) Upon submitting the dossier for registration of circulation of drugs and vaccines, if there is no certificate of pharmaceutical products for imported drugs or vaccines, the legal document issued by the foreign competent agency that prove such drugs or vaccines have been licensed for circulation shall be used.

b) For drugs and vaccines against COVID-19 manufactured in Vietnam:

- Although domestically manufactured drugs and vaccines against COVID-19 are undergoing clinical trials, but the mid-term evaluation results of the third phase on the safety and therapeutic efficacy of such drugs or the protective effectiveness of such vaccines, which are based on the immunogenicity data of the vaccine, have already been obtained. And such results shall be used as a basis for grant of the conditional circulation registration certificate, based the advisory opinion of the National Committee for Ethics in Biomedical Research for drugs and vaccines undergone clinical trials in Vietnam and the advice of the Advisory Council for the grant of circulation registration certificates of drugs and medicinal ingredients for each specific drug or vaccine, with reference to instructions or recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO).

- Drugs and vaccines allocated in such cases must continue to be monitored in term of safety, effectiveness, and be controlled in term of subjects, quantities and scope of use after the grant of circulation registration certificates.

c) The Ministry of Health shall consider and decide on a case-by-case basis to grant exemption of certificate of analysis (COA) for each batch of drugs and vaccines upon customs clearance in case of urgent import for COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control requirements.

In addition to complying with Points a, b and c of this Clause, other contents related to the registration for circulation and customs clearance of drugs and vaccines against COVID1-9 must comply law provisions.

d) The import of raw materials for the manufacture of therapeutic drugs and vaccines against COVID-19 that satisfy the requirements for pandemic prevention and control specified in Article 85 of the Government's Decree No. 54/2017/ND-CP dated May 08, 2017, detailing a number of articles of and providing measures for implementing the Pharmacy Law shall be exempted from the Ministry of Health's written approval of the list of drugs.

2. The Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Public Security and provincial-level People's Committees shall, based on practical situation, decide on establishing and assigning tasks for facilities receiving and treating COVID-19 patients. Decisions on establishment and assignment of tasks for facilities receiving and treating COVID-19 patients shall be used as operation permits.

3. The Ministry of Health may stipulate administrative procedures in its Circulars according to simplified order and procedures on the pilot application of technique and drugs for COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment and grant of import licenses and certificates of registration for circulation of medical equipment and chemicals for COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control.

4. Regarding procurement mechanisms and forms:

a) Ministries and branches shall decide on the form of selection of contractors for procurement of drugs, chemicals, supplies, equipment and means for COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control according to Clauses 1 and 2, Article 1 of the Government's Resolution No. 79/NQ-CP dated July 22, 2021.

b) Localities shall decide on the form of selection of contractors for procurement of drugs, chemicals, supplies, equipment and means for COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control according to Clause 1, Article 1 of the Government's Resolution No. 79/NQ-CP dated July 22, 2021.

In case of selecting contractors in special cases under Article 26 of the Bidding Law, Chairpersons of the provincial-level People's Committees may organize to establish, appraise and decide on approval of the contractor selection plans.

c) Upon formulating the bidding package price for the procurement of chemicals, equipment, supplies, means and services for COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control, it should be based on at least one (01) of the following documents:

- Quotations for goods and services to be purchased of at least three (03) different providers;

- Procurement estimates approved by competent agencies (including types of assets, goods, services, quantity, unit price or the whole estimate arranged for procurement of one type of asset, goods or services in the year);

- Valuation results of state agencies competent for asset valuation, valuation enterprises for assets, goods, services required evaluation according to the Law on Prices;

- Market prices at the time of procurement referenced from the official information announced by the providers on Internet according to Vietnamese laws;

- Winning bid price for procurement of similar assets, goods and services in the previous six (06) months.

Particularly for the bidding package price for medical equipment procurement, the winning bid price shall be based on at least one of the above documents or the winning bid prices within the previous six (06) months posted on the e-portals of agencies competent to approve the contractor selection plans or the Ministry of Health’s e-portal or the national bidding network system (muasamcong.mpi.gov.vn).

d) In case the price of chemicals, supplies, equipment, means and services for COVID-19 prevention and control cannot be determined due to complicated development of the pandemic, ministries, sectors and localities shall base on prices announced by enterprises at the request of the Ministry of Health on its e-portal and updated weekly to determine the price of the bidding package.

In case there is no enterprise to announce the price, in order to reduce the workload for the Ministry of Health to focus on pandemic prevention and control, the Government agrees to assign the Ministry of Finance to assume the prime responsibility and coordinate with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Information and Communication, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Justice in, establishing a Working Group to negotiate on prices with enterprises for the Ministry of Health to announce on its e-portal; on that basis, the ministries, branches, localities and units shall determine the bid package price.

dd) In the course of formulating the bid package price, ministries, branches, localities, agencies or units may select one of the provisions of Point c or Point d of this Clause and submit it to the competent person or authorized person to consider and decide on the bidding package price according to regulations.

e) The Ministry of Health shall, based on the COVID-19 pandemic development and response scenarios, promptly announce and update the list of essential supplies, equipment, chemicals and drugs in service of for the pandemic prevention and control for localities and units to carry out procurement according to the motto “ four on-spot”.

g) The Ministry of Health shall urgently organize the procurement of a number of essential medical equipment and supplies for several affiliated medical facilities and intensive care centers established and planned by the Ministry of Health to be ready to give aid and support to localities in case the local response capacity is exceeded.

h) The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with relevant agencies in, guiding and promptly and effectively handling problems arising in the implementation of the law on bidding for procurement to prevent and control the COVID-19 pandemic.

i) Assets serving the COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control during the pandemic period according to the Prime Minister's Decision on pandemic announcement shall be subject to the following provisions:

- Not applying standards and usage norms to the case of receiving aid, sponsorship or support from organizations and individuals;

- Assets can be purchased in quantities higher than prescribed standards and norms, but must be suitable to the pandemic response plans and scenarios and minimize waste and avoid negative issues;

- After the announcement of pandemic termination, such assets shall be handled in accordance with the law on management and use of public asset.

5. The payment of medical examination and treatment expenses for COVID-19 patients at COVID-19 receipt and treatment facilities shall be guaranteed by the state budget according to actual costs; expenses for treatment of other diseases during the treatment of COVID-19 shall comply with the law on health insurance, medical examination and treatment.

6. Regarding organization and payment of medical examination and treatment expenses covered by health insurance:

The Minister of Health is allowed to promulgate documents guiding the organization of medical examination and treatment, payment for medical examination and treatment expenses covered by health insurance to meet the demand for medical examination and treatment of health insurance participants according to the conditions of pandemic prevention and control.

7. The Ministry of Health shall promulgate the process and economic-technical norms of various types of COVID-19 tests; on that basis, the provincial-level People's Committee shall decide on the order price and assign tasks to agencies, organizations and units to comply with regulations.

Article 3. Organization of implementation

1. The National Steering Committee, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-attached agencies, and provincial-level People's Committees shall, within the scope of their assigned functions, competence and tasks, organize the strict and effective implementation of tasks and solutions specified in this Resolution.

Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-attached agencies, and provincial-level People's Committees shall direct and urge the implementation of this Resolution, strengthen the responsibility of the head; ensure the prevention and prohibition of corruption and negative issues, minimize waste in pandemic prevention and control; promptly encourage and reward those who have bold thoughts, deeds and the spirit of responsibility, actively innovate, be creative and flexible in the implementation of pandemic prevention and control measures, resulting in the high efficiency, and individuals, collectives with achievements in pandemic prevention and control; propagandize, guide and mobilize people to comply with regulations, strictly handle violating cases.

Provincial-level People's Committees shall, within the scope of their management and their assigned functions and tasks, organize the implementation of this Resolution in their localities; decide on urgent measures and solutions for pandemic prevention and control in conformity with the actual situation of the localities; if necessary, consult the Executive Committees, propose the Standing Committees of the People's Councils to decide on issues within the competence of the People's Councils and report to the People's Councils at the following meeting.

Any problem arising or beyond the competence of ministries, sectors and localities should be promptly reported to the Government, the Prime Minister, the National Steering Committee and competent agencies.

2. In case it is necessary to issue regulations on pandemic prevention and control different from current law regulations and beyond the scope specified in Section 3.1, Section 3.2 of the National Assembly's Resolution No. 30/2021/QH15 while the National Assembly is not in session, ministries, central agencies and localities shall send their proposals to the Ministry of Health to summarize and submit them to the Government to report to the National Assembly Standing Committee for consideration and decision via the simplified order and procedures before the implementation according to Point 3.3 of the Resolution No. 30/2021/QH15 of the National Assembly.

3. For issues on ensuring social security, supporting employees and employers that fall under the competence of the National Assembly, the National Assembly Standing Committee, based on the actual situation and requirements, ministries, sectors and localities shall send their proposals to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs to summarize and submit them to the Government to report to the National Assembly Standing Committee for consideration and decision before the implementation according to Point 3.4 of the Resolution No. 30/2021/QH15 of the National Assembly.

4. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-attached agencies, and provincial-level People's Committees shall, within the scope of their assigned tasks and powers, review and evaluate the implementation of this Resolution and regulations related to pandemic prevention and control.

The COVID-19 pandemic develops rapidly, complicatedly and unpredictably, and the work of pandemic prevention and control is unprecedented. Ministries, sectors and localities shall monitor the situation, promptly handle problems arising in the course of implementation under their competence, send proposals of amendments, supplements of regulations or promulgation of new regulations to the Ministry of Health to summarize and report them to the Government and the Prime Minister.

5. The Government requests that the Vietnam Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations, social organizations, unions, enterprise communities and the people of the country continue to contribute, actively coordinate with all levels, sectors and localities to make efforts to overcome difficulties and challenges, focus on implementing decisively and effectively the proposed tasks and solutions to soon control the pandemic situation and repel the COVID-19 pandemic, protect people's lives and health, develop favorable conditions for socio-economic recovery and development.

Article 4. Implementation provisions

1. This Resolution takes effect from July 28, 2021, to the end of December 31, 2022.

2. The exemption of Certificates of Analysis (COA) specified at Point c, Clause 1, Article 2 of this Resolution shall be applied from February 01, 2021.

3. The payment of medical examination and treatment expenses at COVID-19 patient reception and treatment facilities specified in Clause 5, Article 2 of this Resolution shall be applied from the date of issuance of the decision on establishment of the COVID-19 patient reception and treatment facilities.

4. Regulations prescribed at Point c, Clause 4, Article 2 of this Resolution replaces Clause 3, Article 1 of the Government's Resolution No. 79/NQ-CP dated July 22, 2021.

Article 5. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-attached agencies, chairpersons of People’s Committees of provinces, centrally-run cities shall be responsible for the implementation of this Resolution./.