Prey Veng provincial authorities are searching for five people who slipped out of Phnom Penh for Prey Veng province amid the government-imposed lockdown despite having tested positive for Covid-19.

Provincial governor Chea Somethy said the five would be punished under articles 10 and 11 of the law on the control of Covid-19 and other deadly contagious diseases.

“The provincial committee is seeking information on places they visited, means of transport and people who have been in direct and indirect contact with them to be quarantined and tested,” he said.

He added that authorities have tirelessly made every effort to protect people and prevent local transmission.

“We are also afraid of Covid-19, which is a dangerous and hidden enemy, but it is our duty and obligation,” he said.

Ministry of Health spokeswoman Or Vandine said on April 18 that the coronavirus could easily spread, especially in crowded places such as markets, casinos, and factories.

“If brothers and sisters don’t seriously apply the 'three protections and three don'ts', get vaccinated and temporarily stay home, your lives and the lives of other people would be easily claimed by Covid-19,” she said.

To avoid infection, she said people had to be patient in the short run amid the lockdown and inter-provincial ban and implement preventive measures rather than endure long-term suffering.

“During wartime, we were afraid of artillery and mortar fire and took refuge in bunkers. But now, we are afraid of Covid-19 transmission. What we can do now is to just stay home. This is far easier than taking refuge in a bunker.

"By doing so, the hidden Covid-19 enemy cannot find us to open its attack,” she said.