The Phnom Penh Municipal Administration has warned all restaurants and bar owners to comply with the Ministry of Health’s instructions and set up disinfection facilities at their locations, or else.
In a directive signed by governor Khuong Sreng on Monday, it said some restaurants and bars lack caution.
“Therefore to be more effective in preventing and controlling the spread of Covid-19, all restaurants and canteens need to follow the Ministry of Health guidelines,” Sreng said.
He advised restaurant owners to prepare alcohol or sanitiser gel for hand washing at the entrance area and to appoint staff to measure the temperature of guests before they are allowed to enter.
“[We] must keep social distance properly as guided by the health ministry. In case the restaurant owners disobey the guidelines, the Phnom Penh Municipal Administration will temporarily close their business,” he said.
Pengpich Karuna, a cashier at the Boat Noodles Restaurant, told The Post on Monday that since February, the restaurant has always followed the ministry’s guidelines. He noted that some restaurants are less concerned with self-protection.
“It used to be that all the guests were wearing masks, but now among 10 guests, only three are wearing them.
“But our restaurant has followed this principle. All our staff wear masks and we have alcohol and take the temperature of arriving customers at all times. Some of the guests are happy to see us do this,” he said.
He welcomed the municipal hall’s measure, which requires people, especially places that have many people, to continue precaution.
Pulmonologist Hen Phearak told The Post on Monday he is still concerned about a potential second wave of infections as people are less anxious to protect themselves like before.
He said the outbreak was unpredictable and requires the participation of all citizens.
“The import of new viruses from outside the country is preventable by closing the borders and preventing flights, but infection in the country is most common in public places like supermarkets, cinemas, restaurants, and karaoke bars,” he said.
Prime Minister Hun Sen has called on the public to remain vigilant against the pandemic despite the Kingdom reporting no new cases of Covid-19 since its last patient was discharged from hospital on Saturday.
The 36-year-old woman was among a total of 122 patients to have fully recovered.
The health ministry also said Cambodia has not been complacent and is working to prevent a second wave of infections, especially avoiding import of the contagious disease.
It said several people, especially migrant workers, have returned from virus-hit countries including Thailand, though the majority of them have been quarantined, tested and cleared of the disease.
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