{"id":4035,"date":"2020-03-27T01:05:57","date_gmt":"2020-03-26T18:05:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/capitalcambodia.com\/?p=4035"},"modified":"2020-03-29T15:14:14","modified_gmt":"2020-03-29T08:14:14","slug":"covid-19-lockdown-highlights-cambodias-dangerous-reliance-on-imported-food","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/capitalcambodia.com\/covid-19-lockdown-highlights-cambodias-dangerous-reliance-on-imported-food\/","title":{"rendered":"COVID-19 lockdown highlights Cambodia\u2019s dangerous reliance on imported food"},"content":{"rendered":"
Amid the escalating COVID-19 pandemic, Cambodia has now found itself effectively sealed off after the suspension last week of nearly all cross-border activities between Cambodia and Vietnam, followed by the closure of borders with Thailand and Laos.<\/p>\n
Lieutenant General Leang Phearom, the Ministry of Interiors border protection police department chief, said this week that the borders with Thailand, Vietnam and Laos are completely closed for travel by people through road, water or air, although, vital goods and products will still be allowed under strict guidelines. \u201cAll cross-border activities, including people movement, are affected but the exchange of goods at the international border checkpoints will be allowed after truck drivers are thoroughly screened for COVID-19,\u201d Lt Gen Phearom said.<\/p>\n
However, while officials stated the free movement of freight trucks will continue albeit under strict quarantine conditions, both the sudden and unexpected closures has shone a light on Cambodia\u2019s serious over-reliance on imported products and produce from its two major trading partners of Thailand and Vietnam.<\/p>\n