Cambodia bans exports of rice and fish in anti-virus move

Cambodia's leader on Tuesday said that he is ordering a ban on exports of rice and fish to ensure there are no local shortages of the staple foods during the coronavirus crisis.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said he wanted to make sure there was a sufficient supply of salt and noodles as well. He appealed to Cambodians to plant vegetables and other crops to supply local markets "during this difficult time."

Expensive gourmet varieties of rice that Cambodia has contracts to sell abroad are exempted from the export ban.

Hun Sen in his Tuesday news conference also announced that the Lunar New Year holiday scheduled for April 13-16 has been canceled to reduce the risk of people spreading COVID-19.

He said he was taking the measure because his countrymen, who were initially very scared of the disease, had grown overconfident and were not following advice on social distancing and avoiding gatherings.

He said he would find days to replace the cancelled break at a more appropriate time.

Hun Sen in February had been highly skeptical that the coronavirus would impact Cambodia, but as cases mounted he has imposed restriction on gatherings and travel and welcomed medical assistance and experts from China.

The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.