The Government of Cambodia informed yesterday (June 22) that it has decided to lift the restriction on people’s moment across the border shared between Cambodia and Vietnam, but the health and safety guidelines will remain in place to minimize the risks of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission in the both countries.

On June 22, the Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a diplomatic note to the Embassy of Vietnam to inform about the lifting border restrictions between Cambodia and Vietnam.

“Measures as prescribed in the announcement of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Fighting COVID-19 of Cambodia dated 20 May 2020 and the latest related subsequent measures that have been put in place by the Committee and applicable to all countries shall be applied for border crossing between Cambodia and Vietnam,” said in diplomatic note.

The note was preceded on Friday (June 19) by a letter issued by Mr. Ouch Borith, the Foreign Affairs Ministry secretary of state, informing Interior Minister Sar Kheng of “allowing Vietnamese people to enter Cambodia”.

During the resumption of travel activities on the border, Vietnamese nationals who wish to enter the Kingdom must adhere to the health measures issued by the Inter-Ministerial Committee, as per Mr. Ouch Borith’s statement.

This relaxation came after nearly three months of border closure since when in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 transmission Prime Minister of Cambodia Mr. Hun Sen had ordered closure of all borders. Earlier on March 18, the Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation had issued a six-point announcement on cross-border travel between both sides, which suspended the entry by Vietnamese and Cambodian into each other country by road, water and air from March 20. The restrictions were not applied to diplomatic and official passport holders.

In regards to COVID-19 transmission in Cambodia, the country has reported 130 confirmed cases, 127 recoveries and no death caused due to virus, as of Tuesday (June 23). On the other hand, Vietnam has reported 349 confirmed cases, 328 recoveries and no patient died, till date.