Explained: What Happens If You Break The Rules During Hanoi's Social Distancing Period?

The Hanoi Department of Justice has announced sanctions for 16 activities violating regulations on Covid-19 prevention and control in which the highest fine is up to VND 200 million (US$ 8,700) along with a criminal trial, as the city enforces Government Directive 16.
July 26, 2021 | 08:35
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Explained: What Happens If You Break The Rules During Hanoi's Social Distancing Period?
Photo: Zing News

1. Those who fail to wear masks in public spaces face a maximum fine of VND 3 million (US$ 132).

2. Those who are found to have littered used masks could face a maximum fine of VND 1 million (US$ 44), or VND 2 million (US$ 88) if masks were thrown onto the street or sidewalks.

3. People who deliberately hide their health status or others’ will be subject to a fine of VND 20 million (US$ 876).

4. People who do not conduct tests following the requirements of a medical organization will be fined VND 3 million (US$ 132).

5. Eateries or food stalls that fail to follow the order to close down (or move to a shipping-only business mode) in virus-hit areas will be subject to a maximum fine of VND 20 million (US$ 876) for individuals and VND 40 million (US$ 1,750) for organizations.

6. Individuals or businesses that fail to follow business restriction orders in public spaces could face fines up to VND 20 million (US$ 876) and VND 40 million (US$ 1,750), respectively.

7. Those who do not observe the authorities’ instructions on medical observation and safety protocols before entering or exiting virus-hit regions could face a maximum fine of VND 30 million (US$ 1,300).

8. People who escape from quarantine sites, violate quarantine protocols, or reject or evade compulsory quarantine could receive an administrative fine of VND 20 million (US$ 876). If their action causes infections in other people, they will be criminally tried in accordance with Article 240 of Vietnam’s Penal Code on “spreading dangerous infectious diseases”. The highest punishment is 12 years imprisonment.

9. People who escape from quarantine sites, violate quarantine protocols, reject or evade compulsory quarantine - resulting in VND 100 million in additional costs for the authorities to contain Covid-19 - will be criminally tried in line with Article 295 of Vietnam’s Penal Code on violations of regulations regarding occupational safety and hygiene in crowded areas. The highest punishment is 12 years imprisonment.

10. People who fail to report fully and accurately their health status, resulting in the spread of Covid-19, face criminal liability in line with Penal Code Article 240. The sentence is 12 years imprisonment in addition to a fine of VND 100 million (US$ 4,380).

11. Posting fake news regarding the Covid-19 pandemic could attract an administrative fine up to VND 15 million (US$ 657) or criminal liability in line with Penal Code Article 288 on “Illegal provision or use of information on computer networks or telecommunications networks” with up to seven years of imprisonment and a fine of VND 200 million (US$ 8,760).

12. Resorting to violence, threatening to use violence, or hindering law enforcement in their efforts to contain Covid-19 will be criminally tried under the Penal Code’s Article 330 on “resisting law enforcement in the discharge of their duties” with up to seven years’ imprisonment.

13. Owners of service businesses like bars, discos, karaoke bars, massage parlors or beauty salons, etc., - whose defiance of temporary closure orders lead to VND 100 million in damage and costs for the authorities - would be tried under the Penal Code’s Article 295 with up to 12 years imprisonment and fine of VND 50 million (US$ 2,190).

14. People who exploit the scarcity or create artificial scarcity during the pandemic buying in large quantities and stockpiling goods that are in the Government’s price control list (to avoid price gouging) in an attempt to resell and make “illicit gains” will be considered to be hoarding under the Penal Code’s Article 196, which provides for administrative fines and imprisonment sentences depending on the value of the goods. The sentence is up to 15 years of imprisonment and/or a fine of VND 200 million (US$ 8,760).

15. People who take advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic to show fake information about medicines to appropriate the property of others will be punished based on Article 174 of the Vietnam Penal Code with 20 years of imprisonment and VND 100 million (US$ 4,380).

16. People being responsible for the pandemic prevention and control but who fail to execute their duty will be punished based on Article 360 of Vietnam’s Penal Code with 12 years of imprisonment.

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