COVID-19 in Vietnam: Fine of up to VND 03 million for not wearing mask in public

COVID-19 in Vietnam: Fine of up to VND 03 million for not wearing mask in public 

Specifically, at Point a, Clause 1, Article 12 of Vietnam's Decree 117/2020/ND-CP stipulating fines for violations on the application of anti-epidemic measures, a fine ranging from VND 1,000,000 to 3,000, 000 VND is imposed for the act:

"a) Failing to take personal protection measures for participants in the fight against epidemics and people at risk of contracting the disease according to the guidance of health authorities;"

(Previously, at Point a, Clause 1, Article 11 of Vietnam's Decree 176/2013/ND-CP, a fine of between VND 100,000 and 300,000 was imposed for failure to take personal protective measures for participants in the fight against the epidemic and people at risk of disease according to the instructions of health authorities.)

Specifically, on January 29, 2021, the People's Committee of Vang Danh ward sanctioned an administrative violation of VND 2 million in the health field for Ms. T. T. L. (47 years old, a garment business household at Vang Danh market) who failure to take personal protection measures for participants in the fight against epidemics and people at risk of disease according to the instructions of health authorities, such as not wearing masks in public places. In particular, this behavior by Ms. L took place at a time when the whole Quang Ninh province was straining to control the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

Besides, implementing Vietnam's Directive 15/CT-TTg; Directive 16/CT-TTg; Directive 05/CT-TTg of the Prime Minister on some urgent measures to prevent and control the COVID-19 epidemic and Official Dispatch 01/CD-UBND dated January 28, 2021 of the Provincial People's Committee on the implementation of measures for urgent prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic in Hai Duong province; Based on the actual situation, in order to strictly implement the provisions of the law to reduce the risk of community transmission, the Hai Duong Department of Justice has issued Official Dispatch 107/STP-XDKT&TDTHPL on handling violations For acts of not wearing masks in public places or going out on the street unnecessarily, they will be fined between VND 1,000,000 and VND 3,000,000.

In addition, the People's Committee of Hanoi City also issued an express notice 02/CD-UBND dated January 28, 2021 requesting the People's Committees of districts and towns to direct functional forces and management agencies to increase and strengthen inspection and strictly handle cases of non-compliance with wearing masks when going on the street and in public places such as monuments, tourist attractions, parks, flower gardens, walking streets, squares, piers, bus stations, markets, supermarkets, commercial centers, and cultural and sports events in public places/stadium.

Thus, according to regulations, people who do not wear masks in public places to prevent COVID-19 at the request of competent authorities will be fined from 1 million to 3 million VND (an increase of 10 times compared to before). In the face of a very complicated situation like the COVID-19 epidemic, each citizen needs to consciously comply with the local requirements to wear a mask to protect themselves and everyone around them to avoid COVID-19 infection to the community, as well as to avoid legal trouble.

Ty Na

>> CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE IN VIETNAMESE