Hanoi (VNA) – Amid COVID-19-related developments, Cambodian PrimeMinister Hun Sen has ordered forces along the borders to stop all unauthorisedcross-border traffic and ensure that anyone returning from Thailand followsquarantine rules.

Accordingly, officers at the border mustinterview all people caught trying to cross without permission in order toidentify informal sites that people use to cross into Cambodia and skirtquarantine protocols.

On February 15, the PM signed asub-decree confirming the dismissal of Kim Ponlork, Kamrieng district policechief in Battambang province, from the National Police for releasing a brokerwho brought Cambodian migrants into Thailand illegally.

By February 16 morning, Cambodia recorded 479 COVID-19 infections, including 469 recoveries. The Health Ministrysaid around 1,500 Cambodians received shots of Sinopharm vaccine duringthe three days from February 10 to 12. 

Meanwhile, in Thailand, the country’sCenter for the COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is considering toincrease the mandatory quarantine for returnees from Africa to 21 days fromcurrent 14 days after the discovery of a virus variant originated from SouthAfrica in a 41-year-old Thai returnee who flew in from Tanzania, according tolocal media.

Thailand has so far confirmed 24,786 cases,22,136 of which were domestic infections while 2,650 others were importedcases./.