In response to the information that 16 more southern provinces and cities will practice social distancing according to Directive 16, the leader of the Ministry of Industry and Trade said that there is a plan to ensure sufficient essential goods for the people.

This affirmation was made by the leader of the Ministry of Industry and Trade on July 17, after Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh decided to apply social distancing measures according to Directive 16 in 19 southern provinces and cities for 14 days, starting from 0:00 on July 19.

At a meeting with a number of ministries and branches on preparations for implementing Document No. 969/TTg-KGVX, on the afternoon of July 17, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Do Thang Hai, said that following the direction of the Prime Minister, the National Steering Committee, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade have made plans to prepare for the situation of applying Directive 16/CT-TTg in 19 provinces and cities.

“We have prepared enough necessities to serve people’s lives. However, people must also be mentally prepared for certain disruptions,” Deputy Minister Do Thang Hai affirmed.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade ensures enough essential goods for people

The Ministry of Industry and Trade will closely coordinate with Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces and cities to have a plan to transport goods to places where Directive 16/CT-TTg is applied and deliver them to the most necessary places so that people can conveniently access food and essential goods for their lives.

However, each locality has different characteristics and situations, so Deputy Minister Do Thang Hai suggested that local authorities coordinate closely with ministries and branches, especially the Ministry of Industry and Trade, to give specific recommendations to people.

For example, Ho Chi Minh City is suspending the operation of about 2/3 of traditional and wholesale markets, while the remaining 30% of people’s needs are concentrated in supermarkets and shopping centers. Therefore, it is necessary to increase daily selling hours and consider reopening some traditional markets with the condition of ensuring regulations on epidemic prevention and control to increase the supply of food and essential goods for people.

On the other hand, a model that is being successfully and effectively applied is organizing mobile sales, not only localities but also many agencies have participated such as the postal system, Viettel Post. "In the coming time, we must have better and more harmonious coordination to serve the people," said Mr. Hai.

Mr. Do Thang Hai said that with the experience of applying Directive 16/CT-TTg in some places such as Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, the Government and ministries always try their best to ensure enough goods to serve the needs of the people. I hope people will stay calm and trust the instructions and guidance of ministries and localities.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade will do its best to ensure that the essential needs of the people are met as fully as possible. If people flock to crowded places, it is also a risk of COVID-19 infection. "People should not be impatient, hoarding and buying a lot of goods, but need to comply with the regulations and instructions of competent authorities and localities," Mr. Hai advised.

On the afternoon of July 17, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh agreed to apply social distancing according to Directive 16 for 16 southern provinces and cities from 0:00 on July 19, 2021 for 14 days. The 16 provinces and cities that will practice social distancing according to this directive to fight the epidemic are: Can Tho, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Tien Giang, Long An, Vinh Long, Dong Thap, Ben Tre, Hau Giang, An Giang, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang, Tra Vinh, Ca Mau and Kien Giang.

Previously, 3 provinces and cities including: Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong and Dong Nai were also applying Directive 16.

According to VTC News