Police of Ho Chi Minh City on Friday levied a VND4 million ($174) fine on a man after he was found violating many restrictions under Ho Chi Minh City’s current social distancing rule, namely outdoor exercise and mandatory face mask donning.

The fine was handed out by the People’s Committee of An Phu Ward under Thu Duc City of Ho Chi Minh City, a source told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Saturday.

The man’s violations were detected by a cohort from the An Phu People’s Committee during a patrol on Friday afternoon to ensure COVID-19 regulations were enforced in the neighborhood. 

After seeing the man at a public park on Cao Duc Lan Street, the cohort asked him to put a mask on and return home. However, the man kept on exercising and did not comply until the officers put more pressure on him. 

He was later fined VND4 million for violations of face mask donning and outdoor travel regulations in social distancing times, as prescribed by Decree 117 of the Vietnamese government. 

Ho Chi Minh City authorities began implementing stricter social distancing restrictions under the prime minister’s Directive No. 16 for 15 days 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 29,103 COVID-19 cases as of Sunday afternoon, with 9,204 recoveries and 112 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health statistics.

The country has recorded 25,615 local infections in 58 provinces and cities since the fourth wave of transmissions broke out on April 27.

Ho Chi Minh City is now the biggest epicenter with 12,658 cases.

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