Cambodia struggles with porous border as pandemic takes hold
As Covid-19 cases surge in Southeast Asia, illegal border crossings are being blamed for the spread
A woman carries food past a barricade set up in Cambodian capital Phnom Penh due to lockdown restrictions introduced to try to halt a surge in Covid-19 cases. (Photo: Tang Chhin Sothy/AFP)
Cambodia’s notoriously porous border has a long history of smuggling, ranging from human trafficking and drugs to petrol and ancient Buddhist artifacts, by crime bosses who took a strategic view of the country and its access to neighbors and the coast.
Star Vegas Resort and Club (pictured in a file photo), a casino resort on Cambodia’s border with Thailand, is among casino properties in Poipet and the rest of Banteay Meanchey province, that have been ordered to close for the time being, as a Covid-19 countermeasure.
The Star Vegas shutdown started on Tuesday, said its promoter, Australia-listed Donaco International Ltd.
Donaco said in a Wednesday filing that the provincial government order was due to a “Covid-19 community outbreak following a surge in cases”.
The filing to the Australian Securities Exchange added: “All casino operations in the province have been temporarily suspended from 27 April 2021.”
Donaco International Ltd (ASX:DNA) Temporary Closure of Star Vegas
FRA:UGS) advises that Cambodian local authorities have declared the temporary closure of all casinos in the Banteay Meanchey province to prevent the curb in COVID-19 community outbreak following a surge in cases. All casino operations in the province have been temporarily suspended from 27 April 2021.
As such, Donaco s Star Vegas has temporarily closed its operations until further notice from the local Government.
The continued safety of Donaco s staff and visitors remains paramount and the Company will monitor developments and advise the market once there is a further update.
About Donaco International Ltd
While it has been a year since the COVID-19 outbreak began, many areas of the world are still affected. Businesses are being forced to close on a temporary basis to ensure that major outbreaks do not happen and overwhelm hospital staff. In Cambodia, the Banteay Meanchey Province just recently announced a temporary closure of casino facilities due to a recent outbreak of positive cases. This province includes the town of Poipet, where casinos are affected.
Several New Cases
Just yesterday, a total of
171 new cases of the virus were reported in the province. This led officials to announce the closure of casino business. According to Chhoeun Kraiyong, the provincial administration director, Poipet casino guests were part of the group that tested positive for the virus.
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