Workers having their health checked at Hun Sen Champuvoin High School in Por Sen Chey district. Heng Chivoan
The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training has wrapped up health examination for workers who took time off and left for their hometowns during Khmer New Year despite the holidays being postponed to prevent Covid-19 spreading in communities.
In a Friday press release, it said over five days from April 20-25, a total of 5,045 workers had their health checked, none of whom tested positive for Covid-19.
The ministry said among the 5,045 workers, 4,823 were allowed to self-quarantine at home, 97 were placed at Quarantine Centre Level 1 (QCL1) and the remaining 125 at Quarantine Centre Level 2 (QCL2) during the five days.
QCL1 is for those who showed minor symptoms, while QCL2 is for those suspected of contracting the virus.
“For more than 14 days from the night of April 9 to April 24, the Ministry of Health found no positive case of Covid-19.
“We have therefore decided to close all but a Level 2 quarantine centre at [Hun Sen] Champuvorn High School to monitor the health of the remaining workers,” it said.
Labour ministry spokesperson Heng Sour told The Post that only six workers remained at QCL2 as of Sunday afternoon, while the rest would continue their self-quarantine at home.
Despite the closure, the ministry advised all workers who have been cleared of Covid-19 and allowed to self-quarantine to immediately contact the Ministry of Health in case of a suspected case.
Sour urged other workers to undergo a health examination.
“We have made public announcements and remain open to [Covid-19] screening, so you should come out for a check-up,” he said.
He downplayed the risks of virus spread among workers in the capital and the provinces.
“As of Sunday, the risk level for factory workers in Phnom Penh is back to normal. Over the past two weeks, we found no positive cases in the provinces,” he said.
He said the health ministry had provided $1 million to cover meals and examination for the workers.
The labour ministry said around 30,000 workers throughout the Kingdom took time off during the holidays. Of the number, some 15,000 were from Phnom Penh.
Sour said the workers who have been cleared of Covid-19 will receive a medical certificate and allowed to return to work.
For the remaining workers who have not undergone any health examination, he said it is up to their employers to retain or dismiss them.
