Hanoi (VNA) – Malaysiahas moved up its COVID-19 inoculation drive by two days as the firstbatch of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, with 312,390 doses, arrived on February21 morning.

The second delivery will be made on February 26, and Malaysiawill continue to receive deliveries every two weeks until it is completed,Science Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said in a virtual news conference.

Malaysia has secured 32 million doses from Pfizer/BioNTech.

Meanwhile, vaccine doses from China's Sinovac Biotech arescheduled to be delivered in bulk on February 27, pending approval fromlocal regulators, the official said.

Malaysia has imposed more lockdowns this year amid a fresh wave of coronavirus infections.The country has recorded 280,272 cases of COVID-19 and 1,051 deaths.

It aims to vaccinate at least 80 percent of its 32 millionpeople within a year.

In Cambodia, the Ministry ofEducation has issued guidelines on strengthening measures to prevent the spreadof COVID-19 after Prime Minister Hun Sen confirmed on February 20 the thirdcommunity outbreak in the country.

The Khmer Times cited the ministry as saying thateducation officials must continue to implement the standard operating proceduresand suspend any gathering of over 20 people while school managers must reportanyone involved with the “February 20 Community Incident” to the authorities.

However, Prime Minister Hun Sen announced that thereare no immediate plans to close schools or cancel events and other receptionsas a result of the third community COVID-19 outbreak in Phnom Penh, calling onthe people to obey the health measures issued by the ministry and thegovernment.

Last month, Cambodia started the newacademic year 2020-2021. All schools across the country opened after theirprevious closures due to COVID-19.

Cambodian authorities detected 32new COVID-19 casesin Phnom Penh on February 20, mostly in Koh Pich (Diamond Island) of Phnom Penhand some apartment buildings near the Olympic stadium.

Initial information showed that theoutbreak relates to some people escaping the quarantine site at Sokha Hotel tolive in a number of apartment buildings.

Some apartment blocks inPhnom Penh, especially Koh Pich, N8 Club bar and nearby restaurants have beenlocked down./.