"Migrant workers in Thailand told not to leave amid global COVID-19 fears", 18 March 2020

The Cambodian Embassy in Thailand has asked its migrant workers and students in the country not to leave for home during the upcoming Khmer New Year as COVID-19 fears mount.

The Embassy ... said: “For the upcoming Khmer New Year, our workers, students and vendors should cooperate with Thai authorities to prevent the COVID-19. If it is not necessary, you should not leave Thailand.”

The embassy said Cambodian migrant workers need to practice good hygiene to protect themselves from the virus infection...

There are about two million Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand both legal and illegal, according to the Ministry of Labour.

“If our people want to work in Thailand, you need to follow information related to protective measures and consider it thoroughly before deciding to leave,” it said.

Dy Thehoya, program officer at labour right Central, ... supported the embassy’s statement saying the move is to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“It is a good idea to alert our people because it [COVID-19] will spread to communities both in Thailand and Cambodia,” he added. “Cambodian migrant workers could lose their jobs if they leave for home because Thai authorities or companies will have them quarantined for 14 days when they go back.”

Mr Thehoya said returning migrant workers should not visit a crowded venue to prevent the spread of the virus...