CEOCambodiaNews wrote: ↑Sat Apr 11, 2020 10:39 am Cambodia News, Kandal province: By 8:30 pm on the evening of April 10, 2020, many people were attempting to leave Phnom Penh to head to Prey Veng and Svay Rieng provinces, which caused congestion at the Neak Leung West Bridge, despite the fact that government directions on travel restrictions and the cancellation of Khmer New Year festivities have been put in place by the authorities to protect the population from the spread of COVID-19.

Huh? Do I get this right that the travel restrictions were/are not enforced?
Probably better, as seeing the crowds on the pictures such a strict enforcement would probably lead to a popular uproar, making things even worse.

But then the conclusion must be that the travel 'ban' is more an 'advice'.

11 April 2020
Cambodia News, Tbong Khmum province: From April 10, 2020, in accordance with the order of HE Gen. General of the National Police, the Tbong Khmum provincial police force began the enforcement on travel restrictions between provinces ordered by the head of government to prevent the spread of COVID-19.


Police roadblocks and check-points have been set up in all seven districts of the province, with particular attention to the border areas, in order to maintain the security of the population.

On my walk around today in Phnom Penh, I saw quite a few businesses having signs up: "Closed for Khmer New Year". Is that even allowed? Also, many construction sites are deserted, except fore the odd security guard.

So much for listening to HE...

frizzie77 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 13, 2020 3:25 pm On my walk around today in Phnom Penh, I saw quite a few businesses having signs up: "Closed for Khmer New Year". Is that even allowed? Also, many construction sites are deserted, except fore the odd security guard.

So much for listening to HE...

After you have been in Cambodia for a while, you should get the difference between what is said and what is done. Many things are said...

And of course everyone is listening to HE - are you deaf ???

Roadblock between Sihanoukville province and Kampot. 14/04/2020

UPDATE: As promised, there will be a replacement for the Khmer New Year holiday.

July 8, 2020
PM orders Cabinet to designate a five-day ‘replacement holiday’
Prime Minister HE, in a recent message, said employees will be granted a five-day holiday in lieu of the postponed Khmer New Year holidays in April, although a date is yet to be determined. The decision was confirmed yesterday by a government spokesman.

In a voice message sent Sunday to the National Committee for Combating COVID-19 and obtained today by Khmer Times, Mr HE asked relevant ministers to convene and decide on the dates for the five-day vacation for employees who were unable to enjoy the Khmer New Year holidays.

Hopes for a work respite were dashed last April when the government announced the postponement of the public holidays to mitigate risks of COVID-19 transmission in the Kingdom.

“Thailand has already given their people replacement holidays [for the cancellation of their Songkran Festival]. Our [lieu days] must not overlap with theirs,” said the premier, referring to the Thai Cabinet’s decision earlier this month to set July 27 as the substitute holiday for one of the three postponed Songkran holidays.
Dates for the two other Songkran holidays are yet to be assigned.

“We must compensate the people as was promised since our COVID-19 situation is under control,” said Mr HE, adding the substitute holidays may fall on the last week of July or early August.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50742852/p ... t-holiday/