The declaration comes at a time when the coronavirus has been found in more than 20 cities and provinces and the infection count has exceeded 200.

In response to the prime minister's request, a number of tough measures have been taken in different localities.

Delay in the release of new cases is believed to harm the prevention and control of the pandemic.

The new case of the day is from Hanoi, keeping the city on the lead for the number of infections.

While Hanoi’s agricultural sector is the least affected by Covid-19, a growth rate of 3.5% of the city’s Index of Industrial Production in the first half of 2020 is the second highest nationwide.