Siem Reap officials say they are seeing a drop in Covid-19 cases in the city after 10 days of red-zones in some communes and villages, while working to meet food shortages amid restrictions.
Phnom Penh’s “red zones,” the areas of the capital with the most restrictive Covid-19 lockdown measures, were removed effective Thursday, leaving most of the city in yellow-designated areas with about a dozen “orange” pockets remaining.
In Stung Meanchey III commune, about 300 people gathered at a red-zone barricade on Thursday morning to protest and call to be allowed out to get vaccines or withdraw wages from the bank, according to residents.
The government has renewed its promise to give cash aid to low-income people living in the capital’s most restrictive “red zone” lockdown areas, of about $39 to $78 for families and $40 to garment workers, following a string of protests over livelihoods.
Over 100 drivers and red-zone residents on dozens of vans were stopped from leaving Phnom Penh, and two of them later tested positive for Covid-19, authorities said.
Factories should not require vaccinations for employees to return to work, Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Labor Ministry said over the weekend, reversing an earlier proposal that had led to protests among workers seeking quicker vaccinations.
About 100 red-zone residents stood on Veng Sreng Blvd. on Monday morning demanding reduced rent, as increasing numbers of police officers and city officials gathered around them.
Journalists broadcasting from red zones, following ambulances or making misleading conclusions “without clear background” will face legal action, the Information Ministry said on Tuesday, as a spokesperson explained that the measures were needed as some had made reports without first verifying with relevant parties.
Only state media and journalists invited by the government can report in Phnom Penh’s Covid-19 red-zone areas, the Information Ministry said on Monday, explaining that public health was the first priority.
UPDATED April 30 — Phnom Penh City Hall added two villages in Toul Kork district to its list of red zones and two villages in the same district to orange as of April 29.
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