Da Nang People's Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh highlighted the need to set out maximum penalties for non-compliance with the city’s COVID-19 rules and even impose criminal liability for more serious consequences at a meeting of the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control held late on Monday, November 1.

Chairman Chinh delivers his instructions at Monday’s meeting. Photo: LE HUNG

Chairman Chinh directed authorities at local level to enhance monitoring and surveillance of people returning to Da Nang from other parts of the country.

He stressed the need for the COVID-19 community taskforce and leaders of residential groups to keep a close watch on people who are required to self- isolate and self- monitor to make sure they are sticking to the city’s coronavirus rules or face strictest penalties for non-compliance.

Mr Chinh also called on every one across the city to have a part to play in monitoring returnees from outside Da Nang in an attempt to reduce the chance of people bringing coronavirus into the city. He emphasized that all local residents should take responsibility for the health and safety of themselves and their wider community in order to show their willingness to support local authorities to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 reintroduction from people entering or returning to the city from other Vietnamese localities.

The Da Nang leaders urged local residents to immediately report to local authorities about persons who intentionally leave their places of residence while they are required to self-isolate in order to take action against such violators.

The health agency was tasked to develop plans to continue conducting rapid antigen testing at entry points for individuals with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially truck drivers entering the city from other Vietnamese localities.

Municipal People's Committee Vice Chairwoman Ngo Thi Kim Yen stated that ensuring strict compliance with COVID-19 precautionary measures among local residents is paramount in Da Nang in order to stem the spread of the virus and effectively control the pandemic.

Mrs Yen remarked that intentional violators must bear full costs of COVID-19 testing, isolation for primary close contacts, as well as must pay compensation for related persons who suffer loss of income, because of their offences. She said that increasing the certainty of punishment, potential offenders will be deterred by the risk of apprehension.

Reporting by LE HUNG – Translating by H.L