/Cambodia, out of choices, adopts extreme measures to reign in Delta variant at border with Thailand – Khmer Times

Cambodia, out of choices, adopts extreme measures to reign in Delta variant at border with Thailand – Khmer Times

Eight provinces, most of which border Thailand, will be under a 14-day lockdown, starting from July 29 until Aug. 12.

The measure is aimed at preventing the community spread of COVID-19 caused by Delta variant, underlined by the government’s instructions issued last night.

The eight provinces are: Koh Kong, Pursat, Battambang, Pailin, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, and Siem Reap.

These eight provinces have been consistently logging cases in excess of double and triple digit daily new infections over a sustained period of time, including fatalities.

Quarantine and treatment facilities in these provinces were also being overwhelmed by the sheer numbers crossing the border daily.

The lockdown provinces are advised to identify Red, Dark Yellow and Yellow zones. Red zones are areas with serious community spread of COVID-19, while Dark Yellow and Yellow zones with moderate and mild COVID-19 community spread, respectively.

According to the instruction, civil aviation activities in the lockdown areas are allowed to operate as normal, including aviation-related travel.

Both lockdown provinces and the neighbouring provinces must increase their cooperation to control the inter-provincial travel and to jointly take necessary measures to prevent the COVID-19 spread.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is commissioned to urgently contact the Thai side for temporary border closure for all cross-border travel, except goods transport and medical emergencies, and to work with the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training to disseminate the lockdown measure, provide necessary protection for the Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand and ask them to delay their return to Cambodia until the lockdown ends.

The closure of the border is sure to draw flak from CSO’s and rights organisations as the returnees affected are almost exclusively Cambodian migrant workers from Thailand.

However, this move is necessary to reign in Delta Variants which have been to be originating from Thailand where it is prevalent with five digit infections and triple digit deaths daily.

Full list of restrictions:

Nationwide Curfew 14 day (29th Jul – 12th Aug 2021) – 9:00pm – 3:00am
Campaign to strengthen measures to fight and prevent the spread of Covid-19

Banning Businesses and Occupations:
– Karaoke
– Bars
– Discotheques
– Beer gardens
– Tourist Resorts
– Leisure Parks
– Massage
– All alcohol Shops and drinking
– Cinema, Theater, Performing Theater
– Museum
– Gym and sport club

Gathering:
– Banning over 10 people gathering
– Only below gathering allowed
• Family members in the same house
• Funeral allowed by authority
• Company meeting
• Health operation/ rescue mission/ Covid Testing and vaccination
• Police/ Military and Security operations
• Courts and other public serving purposes
No drinking gathering allowed
Restaurants and food courts allowed take away. Only Restaurants or food courts strictly follow the MOH’s SOP allowed to have customers in

Allowed travelling during Curfew period (21:00 to 3:00am)
– Decision of each governors
– Allowed travelling:
• Emergency
• Goods and Food delivery
• State mission/operation
• Telecom
• Food industries• Public health transportations

All businesses and occupations allowed during curfew MUST follow MOH’s SOP and 3 DO 3 DON’T