Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto visited Cambodia on Tuesday. Heng Chivoan
Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday said he had tested negative for Covid-19, a day after meeting Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto.
Szijjarto was confirmed Covid-19 positive in Thailand following a one-day visit in Cambodia on Tuesday.
In a Facebook post, the prime minister said he and 17 others at his residence including his wife, bodyguards and drivers had tested negative.
“Although I have not contracted Covid-19, I will self-quarantine for 14 days as advised by doctors,” he said.
Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in a press release that all the Hungarian delegates had undergone testing and had medical certificates to prove they did not have Covid-19 before arriving in Cambodia.
Upon arrival in Bangkok, the delegation tested positive for coronavirus.
“Upon receiving the information the Cambodian government decided that all officials who had direct contact with the delegates will be tested for Covid-19 and put in isolation as mandated by the Ministry of Health.”
Meanwhile, several Cambodian ministers and senior officials are being quarantined after meeting Szijjarto.
Minister of Commerce Pan Sorasak, who met with Szijjarto, told The Post on Wednesday he tested for Covid-19 and was waiting to get a result. He self-quarantined as advised by doctors.
“I will delay work for some time to quarantine. We follow the guidance of the health ministry to ensure safety,” he said.
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Veng Sakhon told The Post on Wednesday: “I was in a province when I received the news. I am in hurry to go back to Phnom Penh to be tested and quarantined.”
National Bank of Cambodia director-general Chea Serey, who was in close contact with Szijjarto, wrote in a Facebook post that she was very concerned about the safety of those around her. Her staff were also asked to take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of their family and the public.
“It is really unfortunate news and I wish him [Szijjarto] a speedy recovery. As far as I am concerned, my children and I have tested ourselves and are waiting for the result. In the meantime, my entire household will stay in quarantine until we no longer pose a public health risk,” she said.
Szijjarto also met foreign minister Prak Sokhonn, National Assembly member Sous Yara, Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology Lim Kean Hor and Minister in charge of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) Mao Havanall.
