Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has informed that country will temporarily suspend operation of border gates with Vietnam from March 20, citing prevention of the spread of Covid-19 as the reason.

Scanning of body temperature at Moc Bai border gate, Tay Ninh province, Vietnam. Photo: VNA

The request is made “to avoid inconvenience at the two countries’ border checkpoints, in light of the recent spike of confirmed cases of Covid-19, while Vietnam has imposed travel restrictions requiring 14-day mass quarantine and self-quarantine of all travelers from ASEAN countries, including Vietnamese who return home,” reads the ministry’s statement on its website (www.mfaic.gov.kh).

The measure does not apply to Vietnamese and Cambodian holders of diplomatic and official passports.

The ministry noted that the Cambodian side proposes that the local authorities of the two countries work together to facilitate and ensure that the transport of goods across the common border can be carried out without disruption.

To curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam has suspended visa issuance for foreign visitors for 30 days, starting from March 18.

Entrants into Vietnam shall be subject to medical screening and other preventive measures or quarantine in accordance with the regulations. Mandatory quarantine at designated facilities shall be expanded to include all entrants from the US, European and ASEAN countries, the Vietnamese foreign ministry has announced.

At the time of writing, Vietnam has confirmed 76 cases of Covid-19 infection while Cambodia has 37 cases, according to www.worldometers.info.