The Cambodian Labour Ministry said there are two million Cambodians working in Thailand both legally and illegally and asked them to adhere to preventive measures and, should they wish to return home soon, consider the move carefully.

Dy Thehoya of the Centre for Alliance of Labour and Human Rights (Central), which looks after Cambodian workers, agreed with the embassy’s announcement and said it would lower the risk of contagion in both countries.

He pointed out that anyone returning home could have difficulty coming back to Thailand to work, since they would be quarantined for 14 days.