Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng gives a speech at the conference. — VNA/VNS Photo Trí Dũng

HÀ NỘI — Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng has praised those fighting the COVID-19 pandemic for their solidarity.

Speaking on Friday during a Politburo conference in Hà Nội, the Party leader said he appreciated agencies, localities, the Việt Nam Fatherland Front, medical workers, the army, police, workers at the grassroots level and the people’s solidarity in the battle.

After listening to a Party Committee report on the pandemic situation, General Secretary Trọng said since the beginning of last year when the pandemic began, leaders of the Party, State, and the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control have offered drastic directions.

The whole political system stepped in and took strong and positive measures to fight the pandemic, he said.

Amid the complex developments of the pandemic, sectors and authorities at different levels have paid attention to people's lives and established a vaccine fund which has drawn a positive response from many people and businesses, he said.

General Secretary Trọng suggested the whole political system focus on the prevention and control of COVID-19 with the spirit of "fighting the pandemic like fighting the enemy" and continue to employ strong and flexible measures to stamp out infections, especially in localities with large outbreaks.

The pandemic is forecast to become more complex and unpredictable, so to be more proactive in pandemic prevention and control, Trọng requested people not be satisfied with initial results and take the initiative to promptly respond to all situations.

The Party Committee will focus on directing and calling for resources to accelerate the purchase of vaccines and support the research and development of vaccines in the country.

It will also boost international co-operation in pandemic prevention and control and vaccine supply, and soon remove legal problems related to the selection and purchase of vaccines.

The General Secretary said it was necessary to maintain strict control of entry during the current outbreak. Agencies need to ensure the security and safety of important production areas with a lot of labourers to prevent disease transmission and risks to security and order.

All agencies should lead by implementing socio-economic development solutions, in the spirit of developing safe production and controlling the pandemic, especially in industrial zones, he said. — VNS