All markets in the capital city have been closed to contain a surge in coronavirus infections as thousands of families plead for food.Phnom Penh went into lockdown on April 15 and has declared some districts “red zones, ” banning people from leaving their homes except for medical reasons. In a new order issued late on Friday, Phnom Penh City Hall closed all markets from Saturday until May 7, adding that they have seen rising infections in markets and urging vendors and guards to get tested for Covid-19. A government Telegram group set up recently for people seeking emergency food aid has received thousands of requests. “I and my family ask for immediate assistance in the form of essential daily food... I have completely lost my family income due to the lockdown, ” said Thorn Meng, who has a family of five.

Source: The Star April 26, 2021 01:07 UTC