All markets in Phnom Penh have been asked by municipal governor Khuong Sreng to maintain strict health measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 or face being shut down again.

Sreng warned markets after the capital’s Boeung Keng Kang and Olympic markets were closed for a second time after hundreds of vendors and customers tested positive for the disease.

The governor told The Post on July 4 that market management, vendors and customers must follow health preventative measures or face another shut down.

“For markets, we have the necessary comprehensive measures. We have already appealed to people to participate in this matter,” he said.

“Transmission is something that no one clearly knows. It’s a pandemic and it needs measures to be followed. Now, we have acted on two markets to prevent Covid-19 from spreading on a large scale,”he said.

Yon Channara, manager of Phsa Chas market in Daun Penh district expressed concern when the disease appeared in markets again. He said he would do his utmost to prevent the spread in his market.

“We are working hard to ensure good hygiene, social distancing, especially at the entrances and exits. There are 21 entrances and exits at this market and I only open 13 of them, the rest are shut. At these 13 places, we have put the “Stop Covid” QR Code for people to scan before entering, temperature checkers, sanitisers and they are watched by security guards,” he said.

He said strings were put around vendors’ stalls and they must disinfect their shops. Management disinfects the whole market twice a week. Everybody must wear masks.

Similarly, Orussey Market manager Hot Vanthy said he will also try to prevent the disease from returning. He said only the “three protections and three don’ts” measures can stop the disease.

“I think it is safe for all vendors in the market. But the concern is that family members could become infected elsewhere, pass it onto the shop owner then it gets into the market. It’s complicated to predict,” he said.