The Phnom Penh Municipal Hall on August 5 locked down some portions of a village in Prampi Makara district’s Boeung Prolit commune along with Phsar Thom Tuol Sangke, also known as Samhan market, in Russey Keo district for two weeks following the discovery of Covid-19 Delta variant infections there.
Phnom Penh governor Khuong Sreng ordered local authorities to block access to a stretch of Street 113 between Street 232 and Street 242 in Village II of Prampi Makara district’s Boeung Prolit commune.
“During the implementation of the lockdown, all entries and exits are banned and all gatherings are banned in the area, except when necessary,” the statement said.
Similarly, Tuol Sangke Market in Chong Khsach village of Toul Sangke I commune in Russey Keo district was closed for 14 days until August 18.
Security staff and other workers, merchants, customers and anyone who was present there must cooperate with local authorities and be tested for the virus and quarantine for 14 days in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s guidelines.
Phnom Penh municipal deputy governor Keut Che told The Post that “in order to prevent the spread of the new Delta variant … the Phnom Penh municipal administration has decided to immediately lockdown any places related to it. The Delta variant has entered Cambodia with at least 10 known community cases in Phnom Penh and more than 30 cases that were imported. We have taken … health measures to prevent further outbreaks.”
Che also claimed that the authorities are now isolating those infected with the Delta variant from the other Covid-19 patients due its greater risk of spreading.
If someone’s test result from the laboratory indicates that they are infected with the Delta variant, they are now sent to specific Delta treatment facilities.
However, the government’s vaccination of nearly 8 million people will greatly reduce the rate of severe illness and death, he said.
“Despite the new variant virus, our vaccines are still preventing the disease from getting worse,” said Che.
The health ministry announced that on August 5 there were 19 more deaths from Covid-19 and 591 new cases, bringing the total number of cases to more than 80,000. Among the 591 new cases, 183 were imported from abroad and 408 were from the community.
The Covid-19 death toll in Cambodia has now risen to 1,507 victims according to the health ministry.
Separately, Preah Sihanouk provincial governor Kuoch Chamroeun decided to suspend the sale of alcohol for another 14 days from August 6 to August 19.
Chamroeun’s letter dated August 4 stated that due to the ongoing spread of Covid-19 in the province his administration has decided to extend the suspension of alcohol sales for 14 more days, with all public markets, private markets, marts, restaurants, bars and alcohol distribution depots in the province covered by the ban.
“[If anyone who is] involved in the sale of alcohol does not follow these instructions, they will be subject to administrative and legal measures without exception,” the letter said.
