Eight people in Sihanouk province's Prey Nob district were detained for violating the mandatory wearing of face masks and handed fines on April 18.

The fines were imposed in accordance with the sub-decree and law on the control of Covid-19 and other deadly contagious diseases, provincial hall spokesman Kheang Phearum said.

Phearum did not specify the amount, saying only that the perpetrators were punished under Article 19 of the law which sets the fine between 200,000 riel and one million riel ( $50 and $250) for individuals caught not wearing a face mask and adhering to physical distancing.

“Violators will be fined from one to five million riel if they organise gatherings or other social activities in violation of safety distancing measures,” he said.

Phearum said after strict measures were taken in the province to prevent the spread of Covid-19, provincial authorities have arrested and sent two people to court for escaping from a quarantine centre. More than 40 people were also fined for avoiding checkpoints.

He said the authorities will take the strictest legal action without any exceptions against those who attempt to endanger the public’s health.