PHNOM PENH, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has set a mechanism to provide free COVID-19 vaccines to all foreigners residing and working in the kingdom, according to a Ministry of Health (MoH) statement.
Signed by Health Minister Mam Bunheng, the statement said on Thursday night that all foreigners living or working in Cambodia who are not under the umbrella of the United Nations, international organizations, bilateral organizations, international financial institutions, embassies or local organizations are eligible for vaccinations free of charge.
The Ministry of Labor is responsible for preparing the name list of foreigners holding ordinary visas (E) and having work permits issued by the Ministry of Labor, the statement said, noting that these foreigners included investors, businesspeople, skilled workers, artists, medical practitioners, teachers, athletes, consultants and experts, among others.
To be eligible for the vaccines, they need valid passports, valid visas and work permits, it said.
The statement also advised the local authorities in capital Phnom Penh and provinces to compile a name list of other foreigners who are not mentioned above, such as Cambodian citizens holding foreign passports with visas (K), foreigners who are married to Cambodian citizens, foreigners who retire and foreigners who stay legally for a long time.
To get the vaccines, they must have valid passports and visas, it said.
The statement said that foreigners who have been registered for vaccination will receive a notification for vaccination at an appropriate time and place in accordance with the MoH's vaccination program.
Cambodia began an anti-COVID-19 vaccination drive on Feb. 10. As of Wednesday, more than 756,000 people in the priority groups had been vaccinated against the virus, showed a government report. Enditem
