After over 100 vendors in Doeurm Kor Market tested positive for Covid-19, the Phnom Penh municipal authorities decided to temporarily close it and the vegetable market near it in the districts of Tuol Kork and Boeung Keng Kang, Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh municipal governor Kuong Sreng said over 100 vendors and security guards in the market had contracted Covid-19 and that the cases were linked to the February 20 community outbreak.

“The virus spreads rapidly and worryingly and there needed to be emergency preventive health measures. Given the immediate situation, the Phnom Penh municipality decided to temporarily close the vegetable market for 14 days from April 18 to May 1,” he said.

The Phnom Penh Municipal Administration also notified vendors, security guards, workers in the market and their families and customers who entered the market from April 5 onward to immediately be tested for Covid-19.

The testing has been administered at the compound of the Phnom Penh Cultural Centre and those tested are now required to quarantine according to the Ministry of Health guidelines.

Vorn Pov, president of the NGO Independent Democracy of Informal Economy Association (IDEA), told The Post on April 18 that he supported the move, but said the authorities should have other measures to help the vendors and those who have lost income.

“This closure of the market affects their daily occupation and they lose income. As we know, Doeurm Kor Market is a big place and distributes vegetables across the country, especially to the provinces near Phnom Penh. This not only affects the vendors, but also those benefiting from the market,” he said.

He added that the government should set up a safe vegetable market for distribution and sales to those who need them.