Army warned to prepare for long battle against COVID-19

Lieutenant General Tran Don asks for possible scenarios as the battle against the coronavirus is forecast to last long

Addressing a meeting of the Ministry of Defence’s Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control in Hanoi on April 16, Lieut. Gen. Don noted that relevant authorities should make preparations for a range of scenarios in the event that the epidemic lasts three to six months, or potentially longer.

“We have deployed large numbers of military personnel to be involved in the battle, and an important task now is to keep the epidemic at bay among members of the army,” said the senior military officer.

Despite this, he warned that armed forces should be put on alert in order to carry out other important tasks, including defending national sovereignty and organising key events upon the nation taking on the role of ASEAN Chair this year.

“We must anticipate possible scenarios concerning national security and complicated developments in the East Sea, therefore we must be on standby for any battle and must win under any circumstances,” said Lieut. Gen. Don.

Border guards are deployed along the south-western border to control the COVID-19 epidemic

He acknowledged the heartfelt support sent by local residents and their warm feelings towards the army, especially those who are on the frontline against the epidemic posted at the country’s borders.

“This reminds us that the whole army must always fulfil their duties for the sake of people’s health, safety, and security,” he stressed.

It was reported at the meeting that the army has set up a total of seven field hospitals which are able to accommodate 2,800 patients in the event that the disease breaks out on a large scale. In addition, it has established 144 quarantine camps capable of receiving 44,700 people from areas that have been severely hit by the epidemic.

At present, no cases of cross-infection have been reported in these facilities and no soldiers have contracted the deadly SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the COVID-19.