Curfews until August 12th reimposed to stem Delta variant spread

[ASEAN NOW News]

With the more virulent Delta variant of Covid-19 rapidly infecting people worldwide and especially in SE Asia, , Prime Minister Hun Sen has decided to take harsher measures to stem its spread across Cambodia.

 

According to the Khmer Times, Mr Hun Sen on Wednesday night, ordered the re-imposition of curfew in Phnom Penh and extended this measure to cover all provincial capitals.

 

 

He also ordered lockdowns in eight provinces which are reporting triple digit infections daily.

 

The 9pm to 3am curfews took effect at midnight yesterday and will be in place for two weeks until August 12.

 

During the curfew hours, all forms of movement is strictly prohibited except during emergencies for which special permission must be obtained from the Ministry of Health or local authorities.

 

Mr Hun Sen said the eight provinces to be placed under lockdown are Koh Kong, Pursat, Battambang, Pailin, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear and Siem Reap.

 

He instructed the respective provincial administrations to designate areas into Red, Orange, or Yellow zones according to the severity of virus spread.

 

Restricted travel to Provinces

 

The government has also authorised these administrations to restrict entry into their provinces, order the suspension of business activities that attract large groups and ban gatherings or drinking sprees involving more than 10 people.

 

Mr Hun Sen also informed the capital and provincial governors that they must pay special heed to any outbreak involving the Delta strain in the community.

 

“As an urgent response, we need to control the outbreak area in a timely manner and prevent the virus from spreading to other areas. People who were in direct or indirect contact with a carrier of this new virus must be traced in a timely manner to cut off the chain of transmission to other places or regions,” he said.

 

Borders Frozen

 

In addition, Mr Hun Sen also ordered to fully freeze all forms of crossings at the Cambodian Thai borders, except for the transportation of goods and emergency cases.

 

In a statement, he instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately contact the Thai side and inform them of the border measures.

 

He also ordered the Foreign Affairs and Labour ministries to cooperate in disseminating information on the implementation of lockdown measures to migrant workers who are staying in Thailand.

 

Banteay Meanchey Provincial Governor Oum Reatrey said that after the Prime Minister’s statements, he has decided to impose a province-wide curfew from 9pm to 3am to prevent the spread of Covid-19 disease especially outbreaks caused by the Delta strain.

 

Reatrey said that in order to ensure the effective control and prevention of the spread of the Delta strain, the provincial administration has informed its counterparts in Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province of the temporary border closure from yesterday until August 12 for passengers (workers, traders and merchants), except for the transport of goods and emergency cases with the permission of the competent authorities.

 

He added that the authorities will temporarily suspend travel throughout the province, except for government officials, armed forces personnel and those with health emergencies and the transportation of goods and food.

 

“I appeal to the people to participate in the implementation of health safety measures strictly, including wearing face mask, maintaining social distancing and spraying alcohol sanitisers regularly,” he said.

 

Reatrey added that people who do not follow the instructions will be punished according to the law on measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and other serious and dangerous infectious diseases and related laws.

 

Phnom Penh City Hall yesterday also imposed a 14-day curfew, to fight and prevent the spread of Covid-19, from midnight until August 12.

 

Phnom Penh Governor Khuong Sreng said yesterday that all travel and business activities will be banned between 9pm and 3am.

 

He added that civil servants, medical and armed forces personnel are exempted from the travel ban provided they have letters of authorisation from relevant authorities.

 

Sreng said journalists would also be exempted if they have letters from their media outlets as well as letters of permission to travel from the Ministry of Information.

 

Emergency travel for medical reasons and family emergencies, involving not more than four members, are also allowed.

 

Phnom Penh police chief Lieutenant General Sar Thet yesterday reminded all those travelling in the capital that they must wear masks to prevent and control the spread of Covid-19.

 

He ordered all authorities to start monitoring and educating people about wearing masks from now on. If they still do not comply with the instruction they will be punished and fined according to the law.

 

In a related development, Mr Hun Sen on Wednesday also said that to date, Cambodia has vaccinated seven million people against Covid-19, which is equivalent to 70% of the target of 10 million people.

 

On his official Facebook page, Mr Hun Sen said that this has been achieved through the efforts of doctors and authorities at all levels and the participation of the people.

 

He also congratulated Chan Khim, the seven millionth person to be vaccinated. She is from Kantrak village in Siem Reap city’s Svay Dangkum commune.

 

Mr Hun Sen ordered Health Ministry Secretary of State and spokeswoman Or Vandine to present $1,250 and other materials on his behalf to Khim in Siem Reap province.

 

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health yesterday reported 765 new cases of Covid-19, bringing the total to 75,917. Of the new cases, 328 are imported and the rest are linked to the February 20 Community Event.

 

The ministry also announced that 11 more people had died from Covid-19, bringing the total number of fatalities to 1,350.

 

At the same time, the ministry also recorded 694 new recoveries, bringing the total number to 68,386.