Strictly handle the behavior of not wearing masks when going out

Many cases of not wearing masks are punished

Strictly implementing the Government's directive on propaganda and mobilizing people to wear masks in public places, not to gather in crowds... to prevent and fight the Covid-19 epidemic, on the evening of March 31, while patrolling on Ngo Duc Ke Street, Hong Son Ward Police (Vinh City) warned and administratively fined Ms. Ho Thi Th. (born in 1974), residing in Vinh Tan Ward (Vinh City) 200,000 VND for not wearing a mask in public places, violating regulations on epidemic prevention and control.

Quynh Loc Commune Police (Hoang Mai Town) called K in for questioning. Photo: document

There are some individuals who do not comply with wearing masks and even show a "defiant" attitude, such as Le Vu K. (residing in Hamlet 5, Quynh Loc Commune, Hoang Mai Town), who was called in by the Quynh Loc Commune Police Department for questioning and was issued a decision to administratively fine 300,000 VND. The reason is that when the Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control of Quynh Loc Commune publicly announced cases of violations of epidemic prevention and control measures on Facebook, friends reminded them to wear masks to prevent and control Covid-19, K commented challengingly "who dares to fine me". Previously, K had violated two violations at the same time: not wearing a helmet when participating in traffic and not wearing a mask in public.

Then, in the first days of implementing the Prime Minister's Directive on social isolation, the authorities increased inspections of compliance with epidemic prevention and control, including people wearing masks in public areas such as fishing ports, markets, etc. Therefore, dozens of individuals were fined for going out or to public areas without wearing masks.

Many cases of not wearing masks are punished. Photo: Document

Typically, on the afternoon of April 1, Kim Son Town Police (Que Phong) reminded and administratively fined 200,000 VND to a young man named Lo.VT residing in Hop Tien village, Chau Thon commune for circulating in Kim Son town without wearing a mask.

Then, on the morning of April 2, Quynh Lap Commune Police (Hoang Mai Town) organized a patrol and control at the fishing port area in Tan Hai and Tan Thanh villages, Quynh Lap Commune and discovered 2 men driving motorbikes on the road but not wearing masks. The patrol team signaled to stop the vehicle and brought the 2 cases to the headquarters to make a record of the act of not implementing personal medical protection measures for people at risk of contracting the epidemic according to the instructions of the health agency (not wearing masks).

A young man going to the market without wearing a mask was discovered and fined by the Da Son Commune Police (Do Luong). Photo: Document

Similarly, on the morning of April 3, the authorities of Do Luong district also issued a decision to administratively fine a young man 300,000 VND for not wearing a mask when going to the market. On the same day, the Mon Son Commune Police Department (Con Cuong) also fined a case residing in Thai Son village, and the Hong Son Ward Police (Vinh City) fined 3 cases for similar behavior on Thai Phien Street and Vinh Market area.

Whether due to subjectivity or poor awareness, the act of not wearing a mask in public during a complicated epidemic should be condemned. Because it has the potential to cause the disease to spread and become difficult to control in the community.

Apply fine from 100,000-300,000 VND

The penalty for the above cases is applied.useaccording to Point a, KClause 1, Article 11, Decree 176/2013/ND-CP dated November 14, 2013 regulating administrative sanctions in the health sector. It clearly states:The act of "Failure to implement personal protective measures for people participating in epidemic prevention and control and people at risk of contracting the epidemic according to the instructions of health authorities" will be subject to a warning or a fine of 100,000 to 300,000 VND.

In addition, Clause 7, Article 8 of the 2007 Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases also clearly states that one of the prohibited acts is: "Failure to comply with measures to prevent and control infectious diseases as required by competent agencies and organizations".

Thus, any citizen who does not wear a mask in public will be subject to administrative penalties according to the above regulations. Particularly for people with an epidemic, not wearing a mask and causing the spread of the disease to the community can also be prosecuted for criminal liability for the crime of "Spreading dangerous infectious diseases to people", according to Article 240 of the Penal Code. The maximum penalty is 10 to 12 years in prison. Offenders can also be fined from 20 to 100 million VND.

Speculation and profiteering from masks

In addition to the act of taking advantage of the epidemic to raise the price of masks many times higher than the actual price, the production of poor quality masks by medical supply production and trading establishments. Recently, there have been many cases of fraudulently selling masks online, or profiteering, and smuggling of masks that have been handled by the authorities.

Medical masks transported from Vietnam to the other side of the border were seized at Nam Can International Border Gate Station. Photo: Document

Typically, at 4:00 p.m. on March 20, the Border Guard Station of Nam Can International Border Gate (Nghe An Border Guard) discovered a car with Lao license plate UN 0095 (Lao license plate) transporting 64,500 medical masks and 1,686 bottles of antibacterial hand sanitizer without invoices or legal documents hidden among the goods. The driver of the car, Nguyen Ba Tuan (born in 1982), with permanent residence in Thach Thanh commune, Thach Ha, Ha Tinh, confessed to transporting the above goods from Vietnam across the border for a person named Nguyet.

Border Guard Station of Nam Can International Border Gate checks the number of masks on the vehicle. Photo: Hai Thuong

Previously, the Environmental Police Department (Provincial Police) coordinated with relevant units to discover at the facility of Mr. Bui Van D., residing in Quang Tien Ward, Thai Hoa Town, there were 30,000 masks that imitated the design of 4-layer medical masks and did not have an antibacterial layer. This facility used to be a livestock slaughterhouse, seeing the high demand for medical masks from the people, the owner of the facility purchased machinery and hired workers to produce medical masks to make a profit.

Mr. D. confessed: The input materials for mask production were imported from a man in Trieu Son, Thanh Hoa without invoices or documents, only verbal contracts.

According to authorities, this is the first facility in Nghe An to be discovered producing masks with designs similar to medical masks without relevant legal documents.

Authorities seized more than 30,000 fake medical masks. Photo: MT

Regarding fraudulent acts related to masks, in February 2020, the Nghi Loc District Police Investigation Agency prosecuted Le Thi Lan Na (born in 2001), residing in Nghia Trung Commune, Nghia Dan District, for the act of "Fraudulent appropriation of property". Na took advantage of the complicated developments of the Covid-19 epidemic to create a fake Facebook page to fraudulently sell 5 boxes of cheap masks to Ms. Nguyen Thi H, residing in Nam Tu Liem District (Hanoi) for use and charity.

After agreeing on the price, Na asked Ms. H to transfer a deposit of 4.6 million VND. Ms. H agreed and transferred the deposit to the subject's account. However, after transferring the money, Ms. H contacted Na again, but she turned off her phone, locked her Facebook, and did not transfer the number of boxes of masks as requested.

At the investigation agency, Na had to admit: Using this trick, from February 2019 to now, the subject and his accomplices have successfully carried out over 150 fraud cases nationwide with a total amount of money embezzled over 200 million VND.

Subject Le Thi Lan Na and evidence. Photo: Contributor

Previously, on February 4, 2020, Hoa Binh Provincial Police coordinated with Nghe An Provincial Police to arrest Ho Thi Thuy (born in 1996, residing in Ngoc Son Commune, Quynh Luu) for "Fraudulent appropriation of property". Through investigation, Ho Thi Thuy confessed that, taking advantage of the demand and scarcity of medical masks, Thuy used a fake Facebook account to post content selling a large number of medical masks at cheap prices.

Trusting Thuy, many people texted her to order large quantities of masks, but when the victims transferred money, Thuy blocked them on Facebook, cut off contact with them, and appropriated tens of millions of dong. Through initial investigation, Thuy confessed to having appropriated money from more than 10 people.

Ho Thi Thuy and evidence.

Business activities that profit from the common difficulties of the whole society and the lives of others not only violate the law but also violate social ethics and need to be condemned and strictly handled as a deterrent.

To prevent the behaviorWith the increase in speculation, price hikes, production and trade of counterfeit and poor quality goods, especially medical masks, the Ministry of Public Security has advised people to be vigilant and directed units and localities to strengthen the detection and resolute handling of related violations of the law.