Residents in designated red zones in the capital are flocking to get their samples taken for Covid-19 testing, after the Phnom Penh Municipal Hall issued a directive mandating that each and every single one of them does so or face legal action.

The red zones include Stung Meanchey I, II and III communes in Meanchey district; Chaom Chao I commune in Por Sen Chey district; and villages 14, 16 and 17 in Tuol Kork district's Boeung Salang commune.

In Meanchey district, residents can have their samples collected at the former dump site, on Street 1019, and at a church across from the Phnom Penh Municipal Military Police headquarters.

In Chaom Chao I commune, residents can have their specimen taken at Sopheak Mongkol Primary School, K-Mall in Trapaing Thloeng I village, and on a plot of land behind Ekareach Market.

Residents of villages 14, 16 and 17 in Tuol Kork district's Boeung Salang commune can get their samples tested at the Chenla Cultural Centre.

A resident in a red zone of Meanchey district who asked to remain anonymous said he was forced to return home empty-handed due to the considerable amount of people flocking to have their samples tested.

He said the security guards at the site informed the residents that factory workers were a priority group.

The municipal hall has warned of legal action against any resident who fails to follow the directive.

Ministry of Justice spokesman Kim Santepheap confirmed that those who do not cooperate with the authorities in providing their samples face a fine of between one million and five million riel ($250 and $1,250) and are subject to legal action.