Firefighters disinfect Orussey market in Phnom Penh’s Prampi Makara district during its two-week closure from Sunday. Hean Rangsey
The Phnom Penh Municipal Administration shut down Orussey market for two weeks from April 4 after several people in the building contracted Covid-19.
Municipal governor Khuong Sreng announced the closure after five vendors and three market security guards contracted the virus linked to the February 20 community event.
In a letter he signed on April 3, Sreng noted that the potential spread of the disease in the market was alarming and required immediate preventative health measures.
“Given the current situation, the municipal hall will close the Orussey Trade Centre for 14 days effective through April 17,” he said, using the official name of the market.
During the closure, the administration has ensured the security and safety of all vendors’ goods stored in each stall and no payment is required for the service.
He asked vendors to contact the market management commission and arrange to remove products that could spoil, such as fruit, vegetables and meat.
“The Phnom Penh Municipal Administration hopes that the public – especially vendors and customers of the market – understands and remains patient, and participates in the implementation of this notice,” he said.
Prampi Makara district authorities and the market management commission also temporarily blocked the area around the market to traffic.
They also worked with medical teams to spray disinfectants inside the market and spray the surrounding area with soapy water.
A cosmetics seller at the market, identifying herself only as Vannary, on April 4 voiced her support for the closure even at the cost of her daily income, remarking that it reflects authorities’ concerns about the health of the vendors.
“My products will not spoil and I hope that this predicament won’t last more than 14 days, because everyone depends on income from daily sales,” she said.
In the past two days, Phnom Penh Municipal Administration revealed the latest Covid-19 cases and the patients’ identities.
On April 4, 25 people were reported positive, including the cases at Orussey. All those who had contact with the patients should report to local authorities immediately and be tested at designated locations.
On the same day, the Ministry of Health reported 44 Covid-19 cases, all but one are linked to the February 20 event.
The 43 local transmissions included 25 from Phnom Penh, 17 in Preah Sihanouk, and one in Svay Rieng.
As of April 4, Cambodia has recorded a total of 2,689 Covid-19 cases with 1,653 recovered, 1,012 hospitalised and 20 deaths.
