All internet cafes in the capital have to temporarily shut down their services from March 20, or face having their licence revoked and be penalised under the recently enacted Covid-19 law, said Phnom Penh Municipal Hall spokesperson Meth Meas Pheakdey.

In an announcement on March 20, the municipal hall said the move was aimed at preventing further spread of Covid-19 caused by the February 20 community transmission.

It said transmission is increasing and some of the sources of infections had been traced to Internet cafes.

“All Internet cafe owners in Phnom Penh and authorities in all the capital’s 14 districts have to effectively enforce this order until further notice. Violating this directive will result in administrative and legal measures,” the announcement said.

Daun Penh district administration on March 20 went to 36 Internet cafes in its 11 communes and temporarily closed the establishments. They were working to close the remaining services in the district.

“If owners do not cooperate and defiantly continue to operate their business, the district authority will send the case to Phnom Penh Municipal Court without exception,” the administration said.

Municipal hall spokesman Meth Meas Pheakdey told The Post on March 21 he did not have the figures for internet cafes that had been closed in hand. He warned that any internet cafe that violates the order will have their licences revoked and be sent to court.

“In the directive, we just told them to temporarily close, and they can resume their business when the situation improves. But if they secretly continue their service, we will revoke their license and close their internet cafe permanently.

“Legal measures will be taken using the Covid-19 law. What penalty, either fine or imprisonment, will be enforced depending on the court,” he said.