Recently, the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City issued Official Dispatch 3856/UBND-VX of 2020 on the implementation of Covid-19 disease prevention and control in the new situation.
Article table of contents
COVID-19: Fine up to VND 3 million for not wearing face masks in public in Ho Chi Minh City (illustration).
In order to ensure safety against the pandemic and prevent the occurrence of the "third wave of the pandemic," Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee requires absolute vigilance and must not be lax in response to the risks of the pandemic. The Committee has focused on several specific measures, including:
- Strictly implementing measures: wearing masks when leaving the house, at locations, and on public transport; frequently washing hands with soap or hand sanitizer; limiting large gatherings in public places; maintaining safe distance during interactions.
- Strengthening inspections, rectifications, and ensuring strict compliance with pandemic prevention measures within management scope, and strictly handling violations.
- Prioritizing pandemic prevention in densely populated areas, frequently crowded places, schools, industrial zones, markets, supermarkets, and quarantine facilities.
- Preparing adequate infrastructure to receive international commercial flights to ensure pandemic safety and prevent the occurrence of the “third wave of the pandemic” in the city.
- ...
On September 28, 2020, the Government of Vietnam issued Decree 117/2020/ND-CP on administrative penalties in the healthcare sector, replacing Decree 176/2013/ND-CP. Article 12, Clause 1, Point a of Decree 117/2020/ND-CP stipulates fines for violations related to pandemic prevention measures, with fines ranging from VND 1,000,000 to VND 3,000,000 for:
a) Failing to implement personal protective measures for pandemic responders and individuals at risk of infectious diseases as guided by healthcare authorities;
This is a new fine level applied from September 28, 2020, which is 10 times higher than the old fine level ranging from VND 100,000 to VND 300,000 for the same violation as stipulated in Article 11, Clause 1, Point a of Decree 176/2013/ND-CP.
The city People's Committee has issued an Official Dispatch directing strict enforcement of mask-wearing when leaving home, at locations, and on public transport. Strengthening inspections, strictly handling violations. Accordingly, based on Official Dispatch 3856/UBND-VX and Decree 117/2020/ND-CP, from September 28, 2020, residents of Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon residents, who do not wear masks when leaving home, at locations, and on public transport will be fined VND 2 million, with aggravating circumstances potentially leading to a fine of VND 3 million.
This is a significantly higher fine compared to the previous levels. To avoid financial penalties and ensure public health, it is crucial to comply with pandemic prevention measures to prevent a third wave in the city or, more seriously, nationwide.
Le Hai
