A woman receives a fine for violating the regulations on going out without legitimate reasons in Trúc Bạch Ward, Ba Đình District on Sunday. — Photo laodong.vn

HÀ NỘI — The People’s Committee of Trúc Bạch Ward, Ba Đình District, has fined three people for leaving their houses without legitimate reasons amid a crackdown on violations of social distancing regulations to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two men were fined for going fishing and one woman was fined for going out to sell flowers on Sunday. They were fined VNĐ200,000 (US$8.5) each.

Chairman of the committee Nguyễn Dân Huy said one of them resided in the ward and the two others lived elsewhere.

Previously, agencies had let people off with a warning if they were found violating the regulations, he said. 

In Hoàn Kiếm District, a report of the People’s Committee revealed it has fined a total of 102 people for violating the regulations a combined total of more than VNĐ20 million (US$850).

Chairman of Hà Nội People’s Committee Nguyễn Đức Chung last Friday ordered that starting April 4, law enforcement would start patrolling the streets and fining people going outside without legitimate reasons like buying food or medicine, working at essential businesses or service supplier, or going to hospital. — VNS