PHNOM PENH (UCAN): The Interior Ministry of Cambodia said Shen Kaidong, a Chinese nationa,l and owner and editor-in-chief of the Chinese-language online news platform of Angkor Today, was expelled on February 25 after he published an article saying Cambodia was selling China-aided Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines on the black market. He is also be banned from re-entering Cambodia.
All Covid-19 vaccines are free in Cambodia.
The deportation order followed an announcement this week that foreigners who flee quarantine and fail to cooperate with the government to curb Covid-19 would be expelled and banned from re-entering the country.
The order followed what is now referred to as the “February 20 Community Event,” when at least two Chinese women allegedly bribed security guards and escaped quarantine. The women then went to several nightclubs and visited people in their apartments before being apprehended, sparking Cambodia’s third outbreak of the disease.
The order followed what is now referred to as the “February 20 Community Event,” when at least two Chinese women allegedly bribed security guards and escaped quarantine. The women then went to several nightclubs and visited people in their apartments before being apprehended, sparking Cambodia’s third outbreak of the disease.
Cambodia had earned widespread praise for its handling of Covid-19, with the number of confirmed cases standing at just 484 with 470 recoveries and no deaths prior to the latest outbreak.
However, within five days, the number of confirmed cases had jumped to 697, with 477 recoveries, and more than 1,500 people have been quarantined.
The Health Ministry said 58 patients involved in the February 20 Community Event had tested positive overnight, adding that most were Cambodian, Chinese and Vietnamese nationals aged between 16 months and 46-years-old.
‘We must strengthen quarantine controls along the borders to avoid importing the disease from abroad, but the transport of goods to neighbouring countries should still continue as normal’
Hun Sen
In response to the outbreak, schools, gyms and other businesses have closed. Events including weddings have been cancelled and access in and out of the capital has been curtailed.
The prime minister, Hun Sen, said people should avoid Phnom Penh wherever possible and only those on essential business should travel into the capital. But he also said efforts must be made to ensure cross-border trade continues.
“We must strengthen quarantine controls along the borders to avoid importing the disease from abroad, but the transport of goods to neighbouring countries should still continue as normal,” Hun Sen said.
“I ask all provinces on the borders to accept responsibility and take action so that the people may still continue to do business with neighbouring countries with the support of our authorities. We cannot allow Covid to damage our economy further,” he said.
In a separate announcement, the Foreign Ministry told foreign embassies and the United Nations resident coordinator in Phnom Penh that all foreigners will receive free Covid-19 vaccinations. The foreign minister, Prak Sokhonn, confirmed that Cambodia had requested five million vaccine doses from India, with one million doses in the first phase.
“All foreign nationals who are currently residing and working in Cambodia can get vaccinated against Covid-19 at no charge in accordance with Cambodian Covid-19 vaccination plans,” the circular said.
