Inspectors in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City found more than 100 food and beverage businesses violating COVID-19 prevention and control regulations in just ten days, local authorities reported.

An inspection team in Binh Thanh detected 101 eateries infringing on anti-epidemic measures between May 15 and 24, according to a report of district authorities.

All of the offenders will be strictly penalized, local authorities said, adding that this is the second offense for nine of the violators.

Repeat offenders are to face heavy fines or have their business licenses revoked, said Tran Thanh Nam, deputy chairman of the People’s Committee of the district's Ward 25.

One of the venues cited by inspectors was Boc Restaurant on Ung Van Khiem Street, where inspectors found 30 diners being served at tables arranged too close to each other on Wednesday evening.

Additionally, many servers at the restaurant were not wearing face masks.

The restaurant could be fined up to VND40 million (US$1,730) for servicing more than 20 guests at a time, flouting current restrictions, according to local authorities.

Inspectors also detected a small eatery on Nguyen Gia Tri Street serving its customers in front of the dining stall and not ensuring a two-meter distance – a violation of a city government order issued on May 21 declaring that streetside eateries can only open for takeaway service, inspectors said.

The city has already suspended non-essential services, including bars, karaoke and massage parlors, cultural and religious activities, and banned all public gatherings of more than 20 outside of public offices, companies, and hospitals.

The Ministry of Health reported 53 new COVID-19 cases at noon on Thursday, taking the country’s tally kept since the pandemic hit it in early 2020 to 6,164 patients, including 2,853 recoveries and 45 deaths.

Ho Chi Minh City has since recorded 281 coronavirus patients in total, of whom 262 have recovered and none have died.

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