A cement truck is seen travelling past Kampong Cham province’s Batheay district. Heng Chivoan
The government on April 25 decided to lift the inter-provincial travel ban and the closures of tourist attractions across the country, effectively immediately.
The travel ban and closures of all resorts were imposed on April 6 and April 17 respectively in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19, especially over the Khmer New Year holiday.
“This does not apply to Phnom Penh or Kandal’s Takmao town, which remain in lockdown and under the jurisdictions of the Phnom Penh municipality and Kandal provincial administration,” said the announcement signed by Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice Kim Santepheap took to Facebook to explain that travel from one province to another is permitted, but travelling to Phnom Penh and Kandal’s Takmao town or even crossing
through those areas is still not allowed as lockdown remains in place.
“Traveling through Phnom Penh and Takmao is permitted only for emergency rescues, necessary and urgent public services, travel related to security and public order, cargo transportation and other limited exceptions,” he said.
Phnom Penh municipal governor Khuong Sreng reminded all authorities within the city to strictly enforce the lockdown order.
“Let me make it clear right now – the lockdown of Phnom Penh and Takmao town remains unchanged. Therefore, the Phnom Penh police and Phnom Penh military police will continue to strictly enforce the lockdown order,” Sreng said.
Preah Sihanouk provincial governor Khuoch Chamroeun – who also imposed a lockdown on Sihanoukville – said travel across his province is allowed through Kampong Sela district bordering with Kampot’s Prey Nob district and in Stung Hav district. But entering Preah Sihanoukville is completely forbidden.
Similarly, Kep provincial governor Som Piseth instructed his authorities and armed forces to allow travel through his province without stopping and required all travellers to practice the recommended health measures.
The Phnom Penh municipal administration has decided to temporarily close all state-run markets and other improvised ones – such as those around factories, hospitals and residential areas – for 14 days, effective through May 7, in order to stop the disease from spreading further. All vendors, security guards and market staff who were at the markets from April 17 onward have to undergo mandatory Covid-19 testing at designated locations.
“Those who refuse to have their samples taken for testing as the Phnom Penh administration directed will not be allowed to continue their business or enter the markets when the markets re-open,” Sreng said.
