The ministry has decided to temporarily close AEON Mall Phnom Penh (AEON 1) after Savuth's wife comfirmed having entered it to eat and buy some groceries on November 21. Hong Menea
Prime Minister Hun Sen announced that there has been local community transmission of Covid-19.
However, he urged the people not to panic even though the Ministry of Health announced the discovery of seven new cases on Sunday.
Among the victims are Chhem Savuth, the director-general of prisons, his wife and four other family members.
Hun Sen spoke via voicemail on Saturday night after the ministry announced that Savuth's wife had tested positive for Covid-19.
The prime minister said this was the first case of local community transmission in Cambodia and that he considered it to be contagious.
Areas involved are Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap, Banteay Meanchey and Mondulkiri provinces.
“I urge all citizens not to panic to the point of being terrified and losing control.
"Citizens are urged to pay more attention to protect themselves by wearing masks, washing hands and practising good sanitation as directed by the ministry.
“If it can be avoided, please do not attend mass gatherings. I am not calling for school closures in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap or the other provinces involved.
"All that is needed now is to wear masks, wash your hands frequently and maintain social-distancing,” the prime minister said.
He said the government has taken urgent measures by mobilising those directly and indirectly involved in the case for quarantine as well as taking their samples for Covid-19 testing.
Meanwhile, the ministry has decided to temporarily close AEON Mall Phnom Penh (AEON 1) after Savuth's wife comfirmed having entered it to eat and buy some groceries on November 21.
It has also scheduled tests for those directly and indirectly affected by this latest case. The first test is scheduled on November 29, the second on December 8, and the third on December 12 at designated locations in Phnom Penh and in the provinces.
In a separate case, a Cambodian-American woman living in Pailin province’s Pailin town also tested positive for Covid 19.
The ministry appealed to those who came in contact with them to self-quarantine for 14 days at their homes or at the quarantine centres in Siem Reap, Stung Treng, Mondulkiri and Banteay Meanchey and Pailin provinces (for those affected in the provinces).
