Bangkok (VNA) – While Thai authoritieshave increased checkpoints and patrol along borders to prevent illegal entriesto combat COVID-19, the Cambodian province of Takeo has locked down a villageafter new infection cases were continually reported.

National police chief of Thailand SuwatJangyodsuk has ordered all police units to ramp up surveillance in order toprevent the entry of illegal migrants as the country continues to struggle againstthe third wave of COVID-19 infections.

Damrongsak Kittiprapat, deputy national policechief, said all police units will coordinate closely with local authorities andsecurity agencies to curb illegal border crossings due to concerns over apossible outbreak of highly contagious coronavirus variants from neighbouringcountries.

He noted checkpoints will also be set up in theinner provinces with manpower allocated to work around-the-clock to stop thetransport of illegal migrants.

From May 1 to 10, 1,126 illegal migrants werearrested in Thailand for illegally crossing the borders, according toThailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration.

On May 11, the country recorded 1,919 newinfections and 31 related deaths, raising the total number of cases so far to86,924 with 452 patients succumbing to the disease. It has documented 58,061infection cases since the third outbreak began in early April.

In Cambodia, authorities of Takeo province,which borders the Vietnamese province of An Giang, has locked down Bang Batvillage of Char commune, Prey Kabas district, following the continuousdetection of new COVID-19 infections.

Provincial Governor Ouch Phea said the lockdown,imposed since 8am on May 11, will last until further notice.

In its report sent to the Cambodian Ministry ofInterior, Takeo said it has recorded infections in the districts of Prey Kabas,Bati, Kirivong, and T’ram Kok.

Some Cambodian provinces continued to witnessmore cases on May 10 and 11, including Kampong Chhnang 6 cases, Kampong Cham21, and Prey Veng 4./.