Cambodia: casinos in Phnom Penh to remain closed until August 26
Authorities have extended the current restrictions.
Cambodia.- The government of Cambodia has announced that in the capital city of Phnom Penh casinos will have to remain closed until August 26 along with cinemas, gyms, saunas and resorts. Gatherings of more than 15 people remain suspended.
NagaWorld, the only casino resort authorised to operate in Phnom Penh, suspended operations in March after 11 staff members tested positive for Covid-19.
In June, NagaCorp, the company that operates the casino, reported that it expects to recover by 2022 as long as NagaWorld resumes operations in the second half of 2021. It said NagaCorp’s revenue could reach 40 per cent of pre-pandemic levels if NagaWorld reopened in the next few months.
NagaCorp announced plans to reduce pay and lay off employees to improve cost efficiency, which was highly criticised by labour unions.
Cambodia to reopen borders in November
The government of Cambodia has said that it hopes to reopen the country’s borders in November, although some believe the move could be delayed until December or early 2022.
Authorities suspended entries and exits with Vietnam in an attempt to avoid a rise in Covid-19 cases. The news impacted casino operators as casinos in Cambodia mostly employ Vietnamese citizens.
