PHNOM PENH, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's Ministry of Education on Saturday issued a statement allowing all public and private school students in capital Phnom Penh and Siem Reap city to take an early vacation in a bid to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.
The early vocation starts from March 14, the statement said.
The short-term vacation for students is usually from April 6 to 20 of the year, but the ministry allowed the early holiday this year as the kingdom has subsequently detected COVID-19 cases on foreigners from different countries, it said.
"During the short-term vacation, all parents and legal guardians should advise their children to study at home by themselves," the statement said.
It also urged people, particularly children, to avoid going to public swimming pools, sports facilities, and playgrounds, among others.
Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Health also announced restrictions on visitors travelling to Cambodia through five countries in order to curb the spread of the COVID-19.
"The Ministry of Health decided to temporarily ban foreigners from Italy, Germany, Spain, France and the United States from entering Cambodia for 30 days," Health Minister Mam Bunheng said in a statement.
He said the restrictions will take effect from March 17 at midnight.
These latest measures came after Cambodia has recorded a total of seven COVID-19 patients, including a Chinese man, a Cambodian man, three British nationals, a Canadian man, and a Belgian man.
The Chinese patient has recovered and returned to China, and the Cambodian patient is receiving treatment at the Siem Reap provincial hospital, and the rest are being treated at hospitals in Phnom Penh.
