COVID-19 is getting more complicated across the country. To slow the spread, flexible and specific measures have been put in place in different areas. In Hanoi, the city government ordered karaoke bars, clubs, game centers, and internet cafes to close starting midnight April 30, 2021. But not everyone has been following the rules seriously.
While many businesses have paused operations to comply with pandemic prevention directives, some internet cafes have gone rogue, secretly reopening and allowing gamers to gather and play. Some even set up hidden rooms to avoid detection during inspections by authorities.
Specifically, since the directive was issued, Ba Dinh District police have stepped up inspections, catching and fining two game service businesses 15 million VND each for illegally operating. These violations fall under the government’s health regulations banning gatherings and suspending public business activities.
For example, in the early hours of May 8, Ba Dinh security police conducted a surprise check at a game and internet shop on Vinh Phuc Street. They found about 30 gamers and 2 staff inside.
On May 18, police again raided a game shop on Tan Ap Alley, catching 24 customers and 1 employee. Fearing fines or forced quarantine, dozens of gamers hid together in a locked room, but authorities still found them.
However, this bad behavior only represents a small portion of gamers. Many others show strong responsibility by supporting pandemic efforts both financially and morally, helping affected communities and frontline workers.
So let’s not let a few careless individuals spoil the reputation of Vietnamese gamers as a whole.
