Preah Vihear provincial authorities placed three villages under lockdown for two weeks to July 17 after Covid cases were detected, in the province's northwestern district of Choam Ksan.

These are Thammacheat Samdech Techo Hun Sen and Chambak Sen Chey villages in Sra Em commune, and Sra Em Khang Tbong village in Kantuot commune, according to a letter issued by provincial governor Prak Sovann on July 3.

All travel is banned, except for "essential" purposes, the letter said, offering as an example seeking Covid-19 testing at the provincial Department of Health in Preah Vihear town.

Other exemptions are granted for medical and firefighting services, the armed forces, among others.

But other kinds of travel are not off the table, the letter noted. However, permits from local authorities on lockdown duties will be required, it said.

Everyone in the lockdown area must follow the Covid-19 prevention measures and all social gatherings are forbidden, the letter emphasised.

While the number of coronavirus infections recorded in the three villages that prompted the lockdown has not been made public, the province has logged 127 cases and zero fatalities as of July 3.

There are currently 83 active cases and 44 recoveries.