How will editing Covid-19 test papers to 'pass checkpoints' be handled?

Many violations detected

In fact, when some localities in the province applied forms of social distancing, isolation and strict requirements on travel permits and Covid-19 rapid test papers (valid within 72 hours), some drivers whose test papers had expired did not retest as required but arbitrarily edited the date to drive on the road. This behavior did not escape the eyes of the authorities.

Recently, inAt 5:20 a.m. on September 5, 2021, at Covid-19 epidemic control checkpoint No. 9 of Nghi Loc district, the Nghi Loc District Police Working Group inspected and discovered that driver NDH (born in 1993), residing in Khanh Vinh Yen commune, Can Loc district, Ha Tinh province, used a certificate of test resultsrapid Covid test-19 was changed from September 1, 2021 to September 4, 2021 to avoid implementing measures to prevent and control the Covid-19 epidemic.

Authorities check documents of vehicles passing through Covid-19 epidemic prevention and control checkpoints according to regulations. Photo courtesy of Thanh Cuong.jp

More than an hour later, at the same checkpoint, the authorities continued to detect that driver LAP (born in 1987), residing in Tan Ky town, Tan Ky district, also used a Covid-19 rapid test result confirmation paper with the date changed (from August 29, 2021 to September 4, 2021) in the confirmation paper. On the same morning, the Vice Chairman of Nghi Loc District People's Committee signed decisions to impose administrative penalties in the health sector on these two drivers with a total fine of 15 million VND for not complying with measures to prevent and control infectious diseases as required by competent agencies and organizations.

Previously, at around 4:00 p.m. on September 4, 2021, at the Covid-19 epidemic control checkpoint on National Highway 1A intersecting with Provincial Road 48E towards Quynh Tan commune, Quynh Luu district, Hoang Mai town police inspected documents related to epidemic prevention and control work in the area.

Hoang Mai town police worked with Mr. L.D.T about the act of editing the date on the Covid-19 test form. Photo courtesy of Binh Nguyen.

Through that, it was discovered that Mr. L.D.T. (born in 1983), residing in Block 9, Cau Giat Town, Quynh Luu District, had edited the time in the Covid-19 test certificate provided by Quynh Luu General Hospital from September 1, 2021 (expired) to September 4, 2021 to pass through the checkpoint.

Working with the authorities, Mr. T. admitted his violation. The working group drew up a record and advised the People's Committee of Hoang Mai town to fine Mr. T. 7.5 million VND.

Similarly, at 02:40 on August 26, working group No. 18, Provincial Police coordinated with Mobile Patrol Group No. 1, Vinh City Police to inspect at Quan Banh intersection (Vinh City) and discovered that Mr. HVC (born in 1982), permanent resident of Dien Thinh commune, Dien Chau district, was driving a truck with license plate 29H-01xxx, changing the SARS-CoV-2 test result from August 22, 2021 to August 24, 2021.

The test paper has been corrected on the date of HCV. Photo courtesy of CATPV

On the same day, at the Covid-19 epidemic control checkpoint in Dien Truong commune, Dien Chau district, the Dien Chau district police working group discovered that a truck driven by Mr. C.D.M (born in 1982), residing in Quy Hop town, Quy Hop district, had altered the test date recorded on the Covid-19 rapid test result return form. Working with the working group, the driver admitted that he was transporting construction materials to the Hop Luc Company construction site, however, the test certificate had expired so he altered the date to pass through the checkpoints.

Working Group No. 18, Provincial Police in coordination with Mobile Patrol Group No. 1, City Police discovered that Mr. HVC (born in 1982), permanent resident of Dien Thinh commune, had altered the date on the test form. Photo courtesy of CTV

Serious handling

According to Dr. Lawyer Trong Hai - Director of Trong Hai & Associates Law Firm: In case of altering test results to clear the checkpoint, it can be considered an act of "not complying with measures to prevent and control infectious diseases as required by competent agencies and organizations".

Dr. Lawyer Nguyen Trong Hai. Photo courtesy

Pursuant to Clause 2, Article 14, Decree 117/2020/ND-CP of the Government regulating administrative sanctions for violations in the health sector: A fine of VND 5,000,000 to VND 10,000,000 shall be imposed for failure to comply with measures to prevent and control infectious diseases as required by competent agencies and organizations, except for the cases specified in Articles 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 of this Decree.

In addition, for the act of altering test papers to bypass quarantine checkpoints, leading to the spread of disease to the community; violators will be criminally prosecuted under Article 240 of the 2015 Penal Code for the crime of "Spreading dangerous infectious diseases to humans". Offenders can be sentenced to a maximum of 12 years in prison; fined from 50-200 million VND; banned from holding positions, practicing a profession or doing certain jobs from 1 year to 5 years.

The test paper was altered on the day it was discovered by the authorities. Photo: CATPV

In addition, if there are sufficient signs of constituting a crime, the act of forging or using fake test papers can also be prosecuted for the crime of "Forging seals and documents of agencies and organizations"; and the crime of "Using fake seals and documents of agencies and organizations" according to Article 341 of the 2015 Penal Code, amended. The maximum penalty is up to 7 years in prison and a fine of 5,000,000 VND to 50,000,000 VND.