Officials wearing personal protective equipment carry the body of a Covid-19 victim from an ambulance, preparing to burn in a crematorium site in Prey Veng province.
The Phnom Penh municipal Department of Health has mandated that only 10 people are permitted to attend the funeral of a deceased Covid-19 patient and the attendees must strictly adhere to preventive measures.
In an announcement on July 16, the department said Covid-19 patients’ corpses shall be wrapped by health officials before being handed over to their families for cremation at four designated pagodas in the capital.
Two of the pagodas are Ang Ta Minh located in Chom Chao I commune and Kok Banhchon in Chom Chao II commune, both in Por Sen Chey district.
The other two are Chunlong Mlou located in Kambol district’s Pleung Chhes Roteh commune and Krang Thnong in Sen Sok district’s Krang Thnong commune.
Phnom Penh deputy governor Keut Che noted that cremations for deceased Covid-19 patients are currently permitted in the capital because the road leading to a 70ha site in neighbouring Kampong Speu province that has been specifically prepared for the service is still under construction.
