Phnom Penh: The Royal Government of Cambodia has announced a lockdown in the eight provinces bordering Thailand effective Thursday midnight. This comes after the Delta variant of Covid-19 cases are increasing among migrant workers coming back from Thailand. The eight provinces that will implement a lockdown for two weeks are Koh Kong, Pursat, Battambang, Pailin, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear and Siem Reap.

The same as the previous lockdown that was implemented in the capital, there will be color zoning in these provinces: Red Zone, Orange Zone and Yellow Zone. Red for the areas where most cases are recorded, orange for lesser and yellow for less cases of Covid-19. Although the borders will be closed for migrant workers, the government has assured that there will still be transportation of goods and other necessities provided that proper documents needed are being secured.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, MFAIC, has also emphasized that special cases such as transporting of patients by ambulances authorized by competent authorities are allowed to cross. MFAIC and the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training are working together to disseminate the information to the bordering provinces with Thailand. They are urging the provincial governors to strictly implement the restrictions and monitor the people’s movements in order to avoid the further increase of Delta variant of Covid-19 cases.