HCMC – Two officials in the south-central province of Binh Dinh have been temporarily suspended from work for playing golf while the province is practicing social distancing to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Binh Dinh chairman Nguyen Phi Long signed a decision this morning, August 5, to suspend Nguyen Van Dung, director of the Binh Dinh Province Department of Tourism, from work for 30 days to consider a punitive measure against his violation of anti-Covid regulations.
Dung was also removed from the provincial committee for Covid-19 infection prevention and control. Huynh Cao Nhat, deputy director of the Binh Dinh Province Department of Tourism, will temporarily take over Dung’s work at the department.
Cao Anh Tuan, director of the General Department of Taxation, has signed a decision to suspend Nguyen Cong Thanh, deputy director of the Binh Dinh Province Department of Taxation, from work for 15 days to review his violation of regulations on pandemic prevention.
Nguyen Van Dung, Nguyen Cong Thanh and two businessmen played golf at a course in Nhon Ly Commune, Quy Nhon City, on July 31 and August 1.
During this time, they came into contact with a female employee at the golf course, who later tested positive for Covid.
The four men have tested negative for the disease, which is raging in many parts of the country, and are self-isolating at home.
Leaders of Quy Nhon City are considering sanctioning the FLC Quy Nhon golf course for permitting golfers during the social distancing period.
To curb the spread of the pandemic, Binh Dinh Province has suspended all cultural, sports and entertainment activities in public places since June 1.
Since August 1, the provincial government imposed social distancing in the entire province following the prime minister’s Directive No. 15, which prohibits all social events and gatherings of 10 people or more outside workplaces, schools and hospitals. People are also required to keep a safe physical distance of at least two meters from each other in public places.