Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Vu Quang Minh (middle) at a working visit to support the Vietnamese community in Cambodia on April 24 (Photo: VNA) The call was made amid the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic inthe neighbouring country when the numbers of infections and deaths have continued torise since the “February 20 community incident”.
The Cambodian Government has locked down Phnom Penh capitalcity as well as Ta Khmao and Preah Sihanouk cities, while applying socialdistancing in many areas, and closing many markets, factories and production facilities,causing great difficulties to both Cambodian people and Vietnamese Cambodians inthe country.
In its message sent to the Vietnamese community in the country,the Vietnamese Embassy advised them to keep calm and strictly abide by allpandemic prevention and control policies and regulations of localadministrations.
Expressing sympathy to the community over the difficulties they areencountering, the embassy asked Vietnamese Cambodians and Vietnamesecitizens in Cambodia not to attempt to travel to Vietnam through illegaltransportation rings.
Currently, border gates and the shared borderline are being tightlycontrolled by public security and border guard forces of both sides, whilestrict punishments, including cash fines and imprisonments, are being applied forthose who pass the border illegally, the embassy noted.
It added that last week, Cambodia’s Ministry of ForeignAffairs and International Cooperation issued an announcement reaffirming that itwould not fine expired tourist passport holders and visitors who are stuck inCambodia due to the closing of all international flights.
Vietnamese citizens with legal documents, even expired, canstill leave Cambodia and enter Vietnam without being requested to pay any fees,according to the embassy.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Vu Quang Minh said thatwhen Cambodia removes lockdown and travel restrictions, Vietnamesecitizens can easily enter Vietnam through the land border gates and undertakequarantine in line with the regulations at low costs and no fines. Those whocross the border illegally will be arrested and strictly punished, and even brought to trial if spreading the virus to the community in Vietnam.
He said that in emergency cases when Vietnamese citizensstuck in Cambodia need to immediately return to Vietnam during the lockdown period, or seek support, can contact the following addresses forhelp:
The Vietnamese Embassy in Phnom Penh - Phone number: 855 975116789.
The Vietnamese Consulate General in Preah Sihanouk: 855 882248888.
The Vietnamese Consulate General in Battambang: 855 979636636./.
The Vietnamese Consulate General in Battambang: 855 979636636./.
VNA
