Cambodia has temporarily shut its borders with Thailand and Vietnam as it looks to slow the spread of COVID-19 within the Kingdom.
Prime Minister Hun Sen announced the measures late last week as daily case numbers rose above 1,000, including a record 1,130 cases on 30 June with a seven-day average of 927 cases.
In particular, the Prime Minister called for stricter monitoring of all arrivals into Cambodia with the land border gates to neighboring Thailand to the west and Vietnam to the east temporarily closing to stop imported infections. Dozens of Cambodia’s more than 100 casinos are located in border towns such as Poipet, near the border with Thailand, and Bavet near the border with Vietnam. Poipet’s casinos were ordered closed in April.
Prime Minister Hun Sen has also issued an order for all arrivals into the country to undergo rapid COVID-19 tests and more quarantine centers to be established, when the borders reopen.
According to the Khmer Times, there were 22 cases of the Delta variant detected in Cambodian workers returning from Thailand in the month of June.
The government has warned it may be forced to place Cambodia back into stricter lockdowns if the current outbreak doesn’t show signs of easing soon. The nation’s total case numbers have now topped 50,000 with 602 deaths, having previously avoided any serious outbreaks through most of 2020.
“We are now at the red line for COVID-19 virus transmission in the country. Everyone must act responsibly together in order to suppress virus transmission now,” said Secretary of State, Or Vandine.
“We do not want to pass the red line which will require lockdown again.”
The nation’s only integrated resort, NagaWorld in Phnom Penh, has been closed since March after 11 staff tested positive to COVID-19 in that month.
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