Police arrested nearly 500 people for violating restrictions during the three-week lockdown imposed on Phnom Penh and adjacent Takmao town in Kandal province before it was lifted on May 6, according to Phnom Penh municipal police spokesman San Sok Seyha.

Of those arrested, 10 were charged under the Covid-19 law and placed in pre-trial detention; three were recently sent to court; 349 were ordered to pay a fine; 83 were educated and released; while the remainder were sent to quarantine centres.

“We sent those who seriously violated the measures to court, such as escaping quarantine which could transmit the disease to other people. Two people had committed this crime,” he said.

Other violations, he said, included gathering for drinking, circumventing police barricades in restricted areas, and committing violence against authorities. All of these cases were sent to court.

"We understood the situation of some people, so we just educated them, provided advice and let them return home, but some were fined."

Sok Seyha said municipal authorities would continue to implement preventive measures even though the lockdown has been lifted.

"The lockdown in Phnom Penh and Takmao has ended, but we have other orders issued by municipal hall, which has revised and retained the status of some areas in red, orange and yellow zones," he said.

He explained that some zones have been reduced in size and travel is permitted. But the police are still enforcing restrictions in all zones and are ensuring people follow the measures put in place by the municipal hall.