Cambodian authorities further eased restrictions over the weekend but a Covid outbreak at the country's most overcrowded prison provided cause for concern. Cambodia's Ministry of Health reported 556 new cases. The tally comes after an 8 pm curfew in place since April was lifted by authorities in Phnom Penh. They also lifted a ban on alcohol sales.
The city's governor Khuong Sreng warned restrictions would be re-imposed if case numbers spiked, or if people began flouting public health orders like those requiring masks to be worn, the Khmer Times reported on Monday.
After recording fewer than 500 cases in the first year of the pandemic, Cambodia has been battling an aggressive outbreak since February, responsible for 25,000 infections. While the rate of spread has reduced, outbreaks in crowded places, like garment factories and prisons continue to cause concern. Local outlet Voice of Democracy reported that at least 18inmates at Phnom Penh's Prey Sar Correctional Center 1, the city's main prison, had tested positive for Covid-19. - dpa
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
