The Ministry of Health has proposed to issue a fine of up to VND7m for people who leave face masks in unsuitable places.

Face mask litterers to be fined VND3-7 million 

Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen has sent the official document to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Public Security and major cities about the new regulations.

In order to prevent coronavirus outbreak, WHO and Ministry of Health asked the general public to actively use preventive measures to protect themselves including using and disposing of face masks correctly as many people are littering the streets with their used face masks.

According to the Ministry of Health, after using the face masks, the users should only hold the ear loops to take it off and throw the mask into a lidded rubbish bin.

In accordance with the Resolution 155 issued in 2016 by the government about administrative fines in environment protection, the authorities will check and fine those that inappropriately throw masks away in an apartment complex, shopping centres or public places from VND3 million to VND5 million. Those that litter face masks on the pavements, streets or sewers will be fined from VND5 to VND7 million.

On February 14, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment also issued an official document to strengthen management work such as collecting, storing and transporting of medical waste including face masks. Provincial and city authorities were asked to raise public awareness about the issues.