In the two months since the February 20 community outbreak of Covid-19, the government has suspended the operation of several markets and businesses and placed some villages in lockdown in Phnom Penh and the provinces.
So far, 35 markets have been shut down in Phnom Penh, Kandal, Preah Sihanouk, Kampong Chhnang, Battambang and Kampong Speu provinces.
Phnom Penh has shut down 14 markets including Orussey Market Business Center; Phsar Daeum Kor and the vegetable market; Phsar Chas; Tuol Sangke Market; Boeung Trabek Plaza; Trapang Tloeung Market; Psar Ekreach I , Tuol Pongro; Century Plaza; Pochentong Market; Phum Phsar Kandal ; Depo Market ; Chhouk Meas Market and Happy Family Market; and Olympic Market.
Boeung Keng Kang district governor Thim Sam An said that Olympic Market had been shut down temporarily from April 21.
“We decided to suspend Olympic Market for 14 days from April 21 to May 5 to stop Covid-19 from spreading to vendors, consumers and residents exiting and entering this market,” he said.
An also called on vendors, security guards, staff and workers serving in the market from April 8-14 to be tested for Covid-19 if they had any symptoms. Testing is available for them at the Chenla Theatre’s compound .
Sen Sok district governor Mov Manith also suspended operation of Chhouk Meas Market, Happy Family Market and all businesses around them for 14 days from April 21 to May 5 in Krang Thnong and Kork Khleang communes.
In Kampong Chhnang province the Santhea Satha Pagoda, Prey Khmer Market and Phsar Chhnang Clinic in Kampong Chhnang town and Rolea B'ier district have been shut down.
Kampong Chhnang provincial governor Chhour Chandoeun said that the temporary shutdown of the markets was to prevent Covid-19 after the provincial administration had found a person positive for Covid on April 19 in Chrey Bakk commune in the district.
Another market located in commune II of Sihanoukville town has now been closed following the closure of two other markets on April 20.
Preah Sihanouk provincial hall spokesman Kheang Phearom told The Post on April 22 that two villages there have been partially locked down so far. The villages were village III in the Tumnub Rolork area of commune I and Phnom Toch village in Prey Nop district’s Boeung Ta Prohm commune.
“Three markets have so far been shut down temporarily by the provincial administration because it of the spread of Covid-19,” he said.
Prey Veng Provincial governor Chea Somethy has banned people from exiting and entering Poti commune in Sithor Kandal district from April 21.
He said that the district had found five people there who were positive for Covid-19 and that because the situation had worsened and they needed to break the chain of transmission, the provincial administration had banned people from exiting and entering that location temporarily.
Battambang province placed Khach Rompe village in Prek Chik commune of Rukhak Kiri District in lockdown.
Battambang provincial governor Nguon Ratanak said that the lockdown would last for at least 14 days from April 22 to May 5 in order to get Covid-19 under control in that area.
