Authorities in Hanoi city have sanctioned a great number of people for defying the face mask regulation, Kinh te & Do thi Newspaper reported.

According to local health authorities, public face mask wearing is a must to minimize the transmission of the novel coronavirus.

At the online meeting of the Hanoi Steering Committee for Covid-19 prevention and control on January 14, a representative of Hoan Kiem district said that the local police have handled more than 500 cases without wearing face mask in public places, with total fine of up to over VND107 million (US$4,640).

An overview of the online meeting of the Hanoi Steering Committee for Covid-19 prevention and control on January 14. Photo: Kinhtedothi.vn

Nam Tu Liem district fined individuals and units violating the Covod-19 pandemic prevention protocol with more than VND200 million (US$8,674). Meanwhile, Ba Dinh district has checked 23 schools in the area, thereby promptly enforcing the compliance of students wearing face masks when coming to school.

The police also regularly encourage and ask people to wear face masks outdoor.

Preventing the Covid-19 pandemic is the responsibility of no particular agency but it needs the support of each citizen by at least wearing a face mask when going to public places.

Moreover, the districts have actively prepared all scenarios to ensure absolute safety for the 13th National Congress of the Party.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Health Hoang Duc Hanh said that, as of January 14, Vietnam has recorded another 14 Covid-19 patients who are returnees and were put under quarantine right after their entry.

Vietnam has temporarily banned flights from countries and territories infected with new coronavirus variants, particularly England and South Africa.

"Currently, Hanoi has gone over 150 consecutive days without any new Cocid-19 patients in the community," Mr. Hanh added.

For his part, Vice Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Chu Xuan Dung asked all districts and towns to keep strictly complying with the pandemic prevention and control measures in the area.

The vice chairman also required the functional forces to strictly handle people who do not comply with Covid-19 prevention protocols in public places, including hospitals, public transport, bus stations, super markets, shopping centers, among others.
Mr. Dung asked the city police to enhance control, prevent in a timely manner and strictly handle illegal entries. The Hanoi Capital High Command must coordinate with relevant units to closely manage and avoid cross-spreading in quarantine centers and to the community.