Zoning reprieve: Semblance of travel normality in Yellow Zones during lockdown

The government on Monday night issued a new emergency resolution outlining the do’s or don’ts in areas designated as Yellow Zones, Orange Zones and Red Zones.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said that in Yellow Zones movement  of people and all kinds of traffic were allowed to operate normally and all kinds of work, business and business activities are permitted with some exceptions.

Article 5 of the government’s resolution deals with Yellow Zones and states that: During the implementation of the lockdown for areas designated as a Yellow Zone, travel, work, business or business activities and gatherings of people are allowed.

However, businesses operating in the Yellow Zones must strictly implement health safety measures, such as the obligation to wear masks, maintain safe social distancing, spray sanitiser and wash hands with soap regularly.

The resolution also outlined a number of prohibitions, including banning or restricting the operation of schools, including public and private vocational schools, businesses, all kinds of entertainment, including clubs, karaoke, bars, restaurants, resorts and amusement parks, massage businesses, stores selling alcohol, cinemas, theaters, museums, gymnasiums and sports centres.

Article 4 of the resolution defines Orange Zones as areas where individuals are prohibited from leaving their homes, and in the event of a violation of the enforcement measures, the local authorities shall detain the traveller and impound the vehicle temporarily in accordance with applicable regulations and procedures.

Article 4 also outlines some exceptions, including necessary travel to do business or work in the private sector, travel to work at ministries or institutions, travelling to food stalls or pharmacies and for daily necessities that are authorised by the local authority, especially journalists’ travel with identification documents and the company’s letter.

Article 3 of the resolution states that those in the Red Zones are prohibited from leaving home, including doing outdoor sports activities. In case of continued violation of the measures, the authorities may temporarily impound the offender’s vehicle.

Exceptions are given for travel for medical reasons, firefighters, electricity and water supply service operators and food suppliers, who need to have permission letters.

Pov Leakna, a garment factory worker living in the Red Zone of Meanchey district’s Stung Meanchey commune, expressed concern that the closure for another week could make it difficult for her to obtain food.

Leakna said that for two weeks she has had no work to support her life, adding that so far the local authority has not distributed food to her.

“Right now, I only stay inside my room. I dare not go out. It feels very different and difficult for me. I don’t have any solution. Every day, I eat eggs, noodles and soy sauce. I sent a message to the authorities asking for food support a few days go, but I still don’t see anyone coming to help me,” Leakna said.

Tep Pechara, an employee of a private company in Stung Meanchey II commune, also said that he was living in a Red Zone and could not go out, especially if he wanted to buy vegetables, fish, pork or beef.

Pechara added that he was still at home and just eating noodles and eggs and if the city is in lockdown for another week, he could face food shortages, as rice and other items are almost gone.

“I stay in my room for most of the day and cannot go out to buy vegetables or other food. So far, no local authority has come down to distribute the food, so I just have to wait until travel in Phnom Penh returns to normal,” he said.

In another development, Mr Hun Sen has ordered the COVID-19 Vaccination Commission to organise a “National Vaccination Campaign” quickly to inoculate the general public aged 18 and over in Phnom Penh and major cities of Kandal province (not just those in priority groups).

“The National COVID-19 Vaccination Commission should revise the method and plan for vaccination against COVID-19 to become a ‘National Vaccination Campaign’, using the combined national strength and means to promote the vaccination fast and quickly in a short time,” Mr Hun Sen said.

“This is especially for all people aged 18 and over in Phnom Penh and Kandal province, where many people work and live, to get a herd immunity to ensure effective control of the spread of COVID-19 and avoid new lockdowns again and again,” he added.

He also instructed the Commission for the COVID-19 Vaccination to carry out the “National Vaccination Campaign” to ensure order and prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

Youk Sambath, Health Ministry spokeswoman, said yesterday that 400,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine for COVID-19 will arrive in the Kingdom at 10pm today.

According to a report by the Health Ministry on Monday, so far Cambodia has vaccinated 1,295,973 civil servants, citizens and the armed forces across the country.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry yesterday announced the deaths of three more people due to COVID-19.

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