The Svay Rieng Provincial Administration has suspended all alcohol sales for another week through July 18 and also suspended travel to and from Vietnam in a bid to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

In a notice on July 11, provincial governor Men Vibol said the Covid-19 outbreak in his province had yet to be brought under control.

Due to the ongoing epidemic, he said the provincial administration has decided to renew this measure to ensure the protection of the lives of the people, public health and social order.

“All public and private markets, marts, restaurants, cafes, food stalls, beverage shops and alcohol distribution depots must temporarily suspend all alcohol sales,” Vibol said.

He said gatherings of people to drink alcohol are strictly prohibited and those who fail to comply will be punished according to the law.

Provincial health department director Ke Ratha said on July 12 that Vibol had also suspended travel to and from Vietnam, allowing only the movement of goods.

“The provincial governor has instructed us to inspect the border, and corridors ... when people arrive in the Kingdom, the authorities will put them in quarantine centres,” he said.

As of July 12, Svay Rieng had recorded nearly 3,500 Covid-19 infections and 35 deaths, according to Ratha.

Separately in Kampong Speu province, the Department of Environment has publicly announced the temporary suspension of the provision of all kinds of services related to the environmental sector to all citizens and the public from July 12-26.

The department said in a notice on July 12 that it must monitor and implement measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, which may pose a risk to the people and the public who come to receive services.