Ministry defines locations for mask mandate
MINISTER of Health Mam Bun Heng has announced where people will be obligated to wear masks and socially distance to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The announcement, signed on March 22, is comprised of 16 articles and details the individuals, places and locations with mandates regarding the wearing of masks and social distancing.
In summary, the health ministry requires that all individuals in any public place where two or more people are gathered must wear masks – except for children under the age of six who are Covid-19 negative. Fines of 200,000 riel to one million riel ($50 to $250) will be levied after a warning is given first.
All group gatherings and social activities that do not comply with social distancing measures are banned and subject to the levying of fines in amounts between one and five million riel on those who hold them.
All fines will only be levied after warnings and instructions are first issued to offenders by health officials or relevant authorities. Those who are issued fines will have 30 days to pay them.
The announcement also stipulated that individuals who were Covid-19 positive were obliged to wear masks when meeting with health officials or other police officers and that individuals who are in quarantine with others were obliged to wear masks unless they are in self-quarantine in their own rooms where they self-isolate and do not meet with anyone.
“The decision to punish individuals for defying their obligations to wear a mask and socially distance is made by the health ministry,” the announcement said.
However, Ministry of Justice secretary of state Kim Santepheap said the announcement was to inform the public to prepare themselves in advance and exercise increased caution so they could avoid the fines and punishments.
“This announcement offers the public instruction, but it doesn’t mean that it starts enforcement. The health ministry will issue another announcement notifying the public of the start of enforcement according to which provinces and communities currently have outbreaks.
“So, when they [health ministry] issues their next notice, that means that enforcement of the law has started,” he said.
“The obligations to wear masks and socially distance as stipulated in Chapters 2 and 3 of this announcement are to be fulfilled in geographic locations where there is community transmission of Covid19. Those locations are to be demarcated in a notice from the health ministry,” Santepheap said in a Facebook post.
“So, please wait for the notice regarding which geographic locations the ministry has determined that community transmission of Covid19 is occurring in. That will determine in which areas people are obligated to wear masks and socially distance,” his Facebook post said.
Concerning fines, Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth and health minister Mam Bun Heng issued a joint announcement on March 19 regarding the fining of individuals or legal persons who violate health measures.
The announcement confirmed that individuals who fail to fulfil the obligations to wear masks as stipulated in the sub-decree will be fined 200,000 to one million riel and those individuals or legal entities who are responsible for holding gatherings or other social activities and who do not respect social distancing measures will be fined one to five million riel.
The joint announcement also said violators who fail to lodge a protest or pay the fines within 30 days of receiving a notice will be referred to court.