Many people flocked to a kite field in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday despite the government’s social distancing order in place to curb the spread of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Parents, children, and young adults were spotted enjoying their Sunday afternoon in groups at the kite field near one end of the Thu Thiem Bridge in District 2.

The kite field had been sealed off and closed to the public, but that did not stop the crowds from gathering in defiance of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s social distancing directive, which limits public gatherings to no more than two and asks people to stay home or wear a face mask and keep a two-meter distance from one another during essential trips outside between April 1 and 15.

Many people were spotted ignoring barricade tape and loudspeakers blasting out messages about COVID-19 prevention and control to enter the area for kite flying, picnicking, and photo shooting.

Some people were even seen wearing no face mask although Vietnam has issued regulations making it mandatory for all citizens to put on ones while outdoors.

Ho Chi Minh City began penalizing people for failing to wear face masks in public on March 28, doling out fines ranging from VND200,000 (US$8.50) to VND300,000 ($12.80).

“I know this is not the right thing to do but it’s too boring at home,” said B.N., who was among those gathering at the kite field on Sunday afternoon.

The national steering committee on COVID-19 prevention and control is poised to convene a meeting on Monday to discuss whether to extend the social distancing duration.

Vietnam has recorded 262 patients so far, 144 of them having recovered. 

No fatality associated with the disease has beem reported to date.

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