A man in Huế City is found not wearing a face mask in public. — Photo dantri.com.vn

THỪA THIÊN-HUẾ — Police in Huế City have fined 145 people for not wearing face masks and dealt with four cases of people gathering in public places.

Authorities in Thừa Thiên Huế Province have strengthened patrols and handling of violations to enforce social distancing and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus following the Prime Minister’s directive.

Many people have been found ignoring regulations, gathering in groups, doing exercise and not wearing face masks in public, especially in parks, Dân Trí online newspaper reported.

City officials said that they had collected nearly VNĐ36.8 million (US$1,560) in fines during the social distancing period which started on April 1.

In the final days of the social distancing period, police will intensify sanctions against people not wearing masks in public places across the city.

In Nghệ An Province, the police on Monday fined nine people for gathering in groups and not wearing face masks.

They were fined VNĐ400,000 each.

On Monday afternoon, police in Bạc Liêu City, Cà Mau Province, also imposed an administrative fine of VNĐ200,000 each on a group of 13 people who gathered in front of a house in Ward 5.

At the weekend, forces in Bạc Liêu City recorded nearly 100 cases and sanctioned more than 50 people for failing to strictly follow COVID-19 preventive measures. — VNS