Many delivery drivers in Ho Chi Minh City have been warned for gathering in large groups along local streets while waiting for orders.

A team of officers in Ward 25, Binh Thanh District patrolled local streets on Thursday to make sure COVID-10 prevention and control regulations were strictly followed in the locality.

They found 10 shippers gathered together near the intersection of Nguyen Gia Tri and Vo Oanh Streets.

Some members of the group managed to run away as the officers approached, while the others were booked for violating limits imposed on public gatherings.

Similar offenses have been recorded at several other locations in Ward 25.

A total of 16 delivery workers were summoned to the ward’s administration on Thursday after their violations were recorded.

“We often park at various locations to take a break or wait for our next job. It has become such a habit of ours that we completely forgot it violated social distancing rules,” said T.P.N., a Grab driver.

In accordance with current pandemic prevention and control regulations in Ho Chi Minh City, participating in gatherings of more than three people in public is punishable by a fine of VND10-20 million (US$434-869) for each offender.

However, the delivery workers were given only warning, considering this was their first time violation.

“We understand they have been facing financial difficulties due to the pandemic,” Pham Van Ton, chairman of the administration in Ward 25, stated.

“If they continue to break this rule in the future, a stern penalty will be imposed.”

Delivery workers are booked for violating limit on public gatherings in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, June 24, 2021. Photo: Dan Thuan / Tuoi Tre

Ton asked operators of transport and delivery service apps such as Grab, Gojek, and Beamin to remind their drivers to comply with COVID-19 response measures.

Vietnam had documented 14,323 COVID-19 cases as of Friday morning, with 5,759 recoveries and 74 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health.

The country has recorded 11,014 local infections in 47 provinces and cities, including 2,293 cases in Ho Chi Minh City, since the latest outbreak began on April 27.

Due to the increasingly serious developments of the pandemic, the municipal People’s Committee issued directive No. 10 on Saturday evening to enforce stricter virus prevention and control measures, namely shutting down unofficial markets, limiting public gatherings to three people, and suspending public transport.

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