Phnom Penh: Just as the capital looks at possibly easing Covid-19 restrictions, five more cases of the Delta variant have been detected at a hair salon in Toul Kork. The Covid-19 Subcommittee on Disease Research says the cases were all found at the “High Solution Salon” on Street 257 in Toul Kork’s Teuk Laak 3 commune.

The Covid-19 subcommittee says genome sequencing has confirmed that of the seven employees tested, five have been infected with the Delta variant. The Subcommittee says anyone who has been to the salon in recent days must now self-isolate for the next 21 days and contact authorities immediately if they start to develop any symptoms.

Phnom Penh’s current administrative measures are due to expire this coming Thursday. Governor Khoung Sreng has hinted that they may not be extended, saying the fact that Covid-19 cases in the capital had dropped sharply this past week was a “good sign” that things could soon return to normal in the capital. An announcement on the status of the administrative measures, which include a ban on alcohol sales and the continued suspension of high risk businesses, is expected within the next 72 hours.