During the social distancing period odered by the Vietnamese government, Hanoi's authorities have handled many cases that infringed this order, Kinh te Do thi reported.

Over the past few days, Hanoi police have stepped up handling of violations of social distancing and other offenses related to Covid-19 prevention.

Hanoi police patrol the area of lakes and parks to remind citizens to comply with the social distancing order. Photo: VOV

Colonel Le Duc Hung, chief of the Bac Tu Liem district police station, said that from April 1 to 10, his department fined 210 people who did not wear face masks outdoors with a total amount of VND45.2 million (roughly US$1,935).

Besides, the district’s police have handled eight people who gathered in a crowd, contravening the ban on public gatherings.

On April 11, the Hoan Kiem district police department detained a group of "monster drivers" taking part in a motorbike race around Hoan Kiem lake in a period of social distancing.

Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Quang Hoi, deputy head of the Hoan Kiem district police department, said that his policemen have issued a decision to prosecute this criminal offense in accordance with Vietnamese law.

Other acts contravening the social distancing order are still seen around the capital city and the authorities have vowed to handle them strictly.

Me Linh district is currently an epidemic center of Covid-19 with ten confirmed coronavirus cases. However, many people in the district have been found not wearing face masks in public places. Some non-essential businesses such as car washing, motorbike repair, furniture trade are open as usual.

In Soc Son district, 17 people violating the face mask requirement have been fined with a total amount of VND3.4 million (US$145.56). Besides, the locality has penalized a factory with VND5 million (US$214.06) for keeping their business open.

Vice Chairman of the Soc Son district People's Committee Le Huu Manh emphasized that in the coming time, the locality will continue to strengthen patrol and strictly handle social distancing violations.

Moreover, the district will urge people to join hands with the city and the whole country to control Covid-19 pandemic as soon as possible, Manh said.

According to Chairman of the Thuong Tin district People's Committee Kieu Xuan Huy, some households in the locality have stealthily resumed businesses since April 9. The district will ask local officials to remind residents to strictly practice social distancing.

If found repeating the offense, they will be severely handled and the local officials will also be disciplined, Huy stressed.