In Battambang province, deputy governor Soeurm Bunrith said that less than 90 workers are returning each day.
“During the same period last year, over 1,000 workers returned [a day]. But this year, the number is less. It is very different from previous years,” he said on April 8, noting that many workers might have returned due to the Covid-19 outbreak in Thailand early this year.
“Workers don’t return for the celebration because they know authorities will quarantine them for 14 days,” he said, adding that 1,596 Cambodian migrant workers are currently in quarantine in Battambang.
In Banteay Meanchey province, deputy provincial governor Ros Sophany said the number of returning workers before the New Year holiday was also much lower compared to previous years.