The Apsara National Authority, a body tasked with managing the Angkor Archaeological Park, and Angkor Enterprise, which oversees ticket sales at the park, have decided to temporarily close the temples to visitors for two weeks amid Covid-19 fears.

This came after the government imposed two-week lockdowns in Siem Reap and seven provinces bordering Thailand – Koh Kong, Pursat, Battambang, Pailin, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear – in a bid to stave off the coronavirus Delta variant.

Siem Reap is among the provinces where Delta clusters have been reported. The temples will be off limits to visitors from July 30 through August 12.

Throughout Siem Reap, the provincial administration has begun enforcing the lockdown order, with all non-essential businesses and occupations suspended.

Restaurants and cafeterias are allowed to open, but only for takeaway orders.

Gathering of more than 10 people is banned, except in emergency or out of necessity.

Non-essential travel – be it across provincial border or in lockdown areas – is banned from 9pm to 3am.

Businesses and occupations that are exempted from the ban must strictly adhere to health measures.

In other parts of the province, authorities have also extended the closures of three markets – Por Banteay Chey, Dom Dek and Kampong Kdei, where Covid-19 clusters have been reported – through August 9.

On July 30 alone, Siem Reap recorded 98 Covid-19 transmission cases, 23 recoveries and one death.

As part of lockdown measures, the provincial administration has designated Kampong Klaing commune in Sotr Nikum district as red zone; and the district's Kean Sangke and Danrun communes as orange zones.

Four communes in Siem Reap town – Sla Kram, Svay Dangkum, Kork Chork and Sala Kamroek – have also been designated as orange zones.