The Preah Sihanouk Provincial Administration has suspended three factories in the province's special economic zone in Prey Nop district's Bit Traing commune after some workers there tested positive for Covid-19.

In a letter dated May 1, governor Kouch Chamroeun instructed the owners of TGH Cambodia, Nature Flooring and Jiang Sang (Cambodia) Sport and Stationary to suspend operations so that health workers could collect specimens for Covid-19.

The letter came after the provincial Department of Health's rapid response team traced the transmission to technical workers at the factories, Chamroeun said.

"We close them temporarily to prevent the virus spreading to other workers at ... the factories for two days, effective immediately.

The governor ordered that the factory owners cooperate with the provincial Department of Labour and Vocational Training in locating those who have been in contact with the Covid-19 positive workers so that their specimens can be collected the health department's rapid response team for testing.

"All workers and employees at the factories are barred from entry and exit until sample collection is finished and are required to self-isolate until the results come back. Only those who test negative will be allowed to resume work as per the provincial hall's instruction.

"Factory owners who fail to comply will face legal action," said the letter.