Over the past two months, Hanoi police have handled 78 cases of spreading fake news about the Covid -19 pandemic on social media platforms like Facebook, Youtube, Zalo, Kinhtedothi.vn reported.

Fanpage owner of ''Florist shop'' works with the municipal Department of Information and Communications. Photo: Kinhtedothi.vn

The news mainly contained false and fabricated information about Covid-19 developments in Hanoi such as inaccurate treatment methods of Covid-19 disease which are not recommended by the health ministry, or Covid-19 patients' private data, market closures, city blockade, among others. The fake news has caused confusion among local residents.

The city's Hanoi police have asked the offenders to remove the fake news posts, pledge not to repeat the offense and fined VND20-30 million (US$853.73-1,280) for organizations, and VND10-15 million (US$426.87-640.3) for individuals.

On April 14, the municipal Department of Information and Communications also penalized a Facebook account for posting fake news about quarantine and Covid-19 prevention with a VND12.5 million (US$533.46) fine.

The fanpage named ''Cửa hàng bán hoa'' (Florist Shop) on April 6 said that the social distancing period would be extended till April 30. So far no competent authorities have mentioned that information.

The municipal Department of Information and Communications had asked the owner of the fanpage to remove the post.

The Facebook account holder later admitted the act of posting fake news on social media with a view to increasing traffic for her fanpage.