PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Health has requested the governors of provinces with bordering land or water with neighboring countries to strengthen health checks on Cambodians return through border crossings to catch cases of Covid-19 before they enter the country.

In a notification issued on Thursday, 14 July, the Ministry of Health informed all governors of border provinces that there are health measures to be applied to passengers, citizens or Cambodian workers entering Cambodia through the land and water borders between Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. Those who have not been vaccinated or still have not completed their full basic dose, are required to undergo free rapid-testing.

The Ministry added that in the case of a positive test, if symptoms are low, the patient will be allowed to seek treatment at home or in a hotel, and the individual will be responsible for their own expenses and will have to implement the ‘3 Do’s and 3 Don’t’s’ in accordance with the set procedures and standards for the management, care and treatment of patients with Covid-19.

Those with severe symptoms will be referred to a hospital.

Cambodia began detecting new cases of Covid-19 from 28 June, after a 52-day streak of no cases. Prime Minister Hun Sen sent an urgent voice message on the night of 28 June urging people to take precautionary measures and to get everyone vaccinated to avoid a large-scale spread of Covid-19 in the community once again.