The owner of an Internet shop in Thu Duc City and 42 gamers are taken to Phuoc Long B Ward Administration Office and punished for violating Covid-19 safety regulations - PHOTO: TNO

HCMC - The government of Phuoc Long B Ward in Thu Duc City in HCMC today, June 17, imposed a fine of VND96 million on the owner of an Internet shop and 42 online gamers as they violated Covid-19 safety regulations.

The Internet shop was found operating illegally while the city is trying to fight off the Covid-19 pandemic, the local media reported.

Earlier at 10.30 p.m. on June 14, the ward police launched an unannounced inspection into the Internet shop and found it had closed the door and turned off the lights, but was still serving 42 young gamers.

The samples of the 42 gamers and the owner of the shop were taken for drug and Covid-19 testing.

Among the 42 gamers, 41 were fined VND2 million each in line with Decree 117 on the sanctioning of administrative violations in the health sector, while another who was under 16 years of age was only rebuked.

The owner of the Internet shop had to pay a fine of VND15 million, while the authority is considering revoking its business registration certificate.

During the fourth wave of the coronavirus, which began on April 27, HCMC has suspended the operation of nonessential services or activities, including Internet and game shops, to prevent the spread of Covid-19.