As of April 26, the Preah Sihanouk provincial administration has suspended the operation of five markets and one factory for 14 days to prevent the spread of Covid.

Provincial hall spokesman Kheang Phearom said on April 17 that due to the Covid outbreak, five markets and one factory had to be shut-down for 14 days.

The markets affected are Dara Samnang Business Center, Yeay Touch New Star Market, Peanichkam Market , Phsar Leu and Achin's Market. The closed factory is the footwear factory in commune I.

“In order to break the chain of transmission of Covid-19 throughout our community, we have to suspend operations of these markets for 14 days,” he said.

In order to assist the residents whose livelihoods will be affected by the closures, especially those in areas designated as red zones, the provincial administration has prepared mobile vans to transport groceries to them in the villages within the red zones.

The municipal administration has also requested that all business owners cooperate with the working group and have their samples taken for Covid testing.

Those suspected of having come into contact with a Covid positive person were banned from exiting and entering the locations in question and they have to self-quarantine at their homes and comply with health ministry rules during their quarantine.

According to the provincial administration, as of April 26, the province had detected 1,390 cases of Covid with 567 recoveries, 819 hospitalisations and four deaths.