Migrant workers returning as Omicron fears grow
In August, thousands of migrant workers returned from Thailand, but these numbers have dropped dramatically in the following months, with some border crossings seeing as few as 50 returnees a day. However, by late November and early December, the figures rose noticeably to around 500 per day.
Oddar Meanchey deputy governor Dy Rado said that migrant workers are still very concerned about the Covid-19 virus and its variants.
“The migrant workers have worked hard to find jobs in Thailand and often spend large amounts to pay job brokers or to cross the border illegally. Despite this, in the last few weeks we have seen more than 100 migrant workers returning per day,” he said.
“Most of them are fully vaccinated by the Thai government while Cambodia is also inoculating workers at the quarantine centre,” he added.
Banteay Meanchey deputy governor Ngoun Mengchroun said that authorities on both sides of the borders are working hard, and that the numbers of returnees is growing.
“There are more than 200 migrant workers returning per day. Less than a hundred of them are illegal workers who have been deported by the Thai authorities,” he said.
“Officials are tracking their health closely whether they are asymptomatic or not, what’s important is that they are fully vaccinated, and we rarely see positive results for rapid tests at the border,” he added.
Battambang provincial governor Sok Lou said yesterday that up to 200 migrant workers have returned to the Kingdom meanwhile O’Anlok border crossing receives more than 100 migrant works per day.
“So far in December, the province received more than a thousand returnees, and we questioned their reasons for returning, as last month there were just 20 to 30 workers,” he said.
They returned because of the fear that they will be infected with the Omicron variant and struggle the same way as before, due to the infectiousness of Delta, he added.
Authorities in southern Vietnam have intensified border controls after Cambodia detected its first case of the Omicron coronavirus variant.
Colonel Doan Van An, political commissar of the Border Guard Command of Long An Province, told Youth newspaper that local border defense officers had been reminded to be more vigilant while on duty.
“They were required to patrol more frequently to promptly detect border jumpers, smuggling, and most importantly, to prevent any risk of Covid-19 transmission,” he said.
Within a week, Cambodia has confirmed four cases of Omicron.
Ministry of Health spokeswoman Or Vandine yesterday said that she understands that 2022 will be the year that Omicron variant of Covid-19 virus circulates widely, including Cambodia.
“Therefore, be careful and be prepared to respond to any eventual outbreak. We must continue to learn to live with Covid-19, especially Omicron and other new variants,” she said.
“We can all follow the 3 dos and don’ts and get vaccinated. Doing so will protect you from severe symptoms,” she added.
World Health Organization Dr Li Ailan said yesterday that she would like to remind everyone to continue to implement all the Covid-19 preventive and safety measures, with Delta now circulating in the community, and with Omicron circulating around the world.
“Now is not the time to relax preventive measures,” she said.
She pointed out that she recommended five key tools that in combination are effective in avoiding the “red line” when health services may become overwhelmed. They will also protect the vulnerable, and minimise economic impacts.
“First, vaccines and vaccination: getting fully vaccinated is crucial, especially for those at greatest risk. Second, public health and social measures: including the 3 Dos and Don’ts,” she noted.
The third is Health care capacities: we need to make sure hospital and ICU beds are available for those with severe illness who really them. Forth, early detection and a rapid response to any sign of a surge, and last but not least a risk-based approach to international border measures and safe reopening.
Comments
Post a Comment