More than VND1.23 billion (US$53,500) worth of fines were imposed on violators of pandemic prevention and control regulations on the first two days of an extensive social distancing period in Ho Chi Minh City.

Police officers and officials in 21 districts and Thu Duc City booked many residents for such offenses as failure to wear face masks in public, going outside without proper reasons, participating in gatherings of over two people, and operating non-essential businesses despite a ban, on Friday and Saturday.

District-level administrations issued fines totaling VND841 million ($36,600) for these violations, said Tu Luong, deputy director of the municipal Department of Information and Communications.

Meanwhile, police units imposed another VND389 million ($16,900) worth of fines.

According to Senior Lieutenant Colonel Le Manh Ha, deputy chief of staff at the municipal Department of Public Security, 12 city-level and 266 district-level COVID-19 checkpoints have been established.

Residents have to present their IDs and state appropriate reasons for leaving their homes in order to pass these checkpoints, Ha elaborated.

On-duty officers issued warnings to over 863 violators of social distancing measures, while 203 offenders were booked and fined.

The number of crimes on Friday and Saturday also dropped by three times compared to regular days, the police official added.

Ho Chi Minh City authorities began implementing stricter social distancing regulations under the prime minister’s Directive No.16 for 15 days from 0:00 on Friday.

The directive forbids public gatherings of over two, bans non-essential businesses and services, and requires people to stay home unless they go out for food, medicine, or other emergencies.

All non-essential businesses as well as public transport, including buses, taxis, and ride-hailing vehicles, are suspended.

Administrative fines for such violations range between VND1 million ($43) and VND20 million ($869).

Vietnam had documented 28,470 COVID-19 cases as of Sunday morning, with 9,204 recoveries and 112 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health's statistics.

The country has recorded 24,983 local infections in 58 provinces and cities since the fourth wave of transmissions broke out on April 27.

Ho Chi Minh City leads the table in this bout with 12,058 cases.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!