Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Cambodia's prime minister in quarantine after Hungarian meet

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and four of his Cabinet members are in quarantine after meeting with a visiting envoy who later tested positive for the coronavirus

Via AP news wire
Thursday 05 November 2020 00:54 EST
Virus Outbreak Thailand Hungary
Virus Outbreak Thailand Hungary

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen and four Cabinet ministers were in quarantine Thursday after they met with Hungary's foreign minister the same day he tested positive for the coronavirus.

Hun Sen on his Facebook page said he has tested negative and would abide by the country’s coronavirus guidelines and stay quarantined for 14 days, during which he would not meet with family members or attend public events. He said his wife and 16 of his staff — bodyguards and drivers — also tested negative.

The Cambodian Health Ministry said all 628 people who were part of the visit have tested negative so far and it urged everyone who had contact with the Hungarian delegation to be tested and to quarantine for two weeks.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto had tested negative before leaving Hungary on Monday and tested negative in Cambodia as well, the Cambodian foreign ministry said.

On Tuesday, he paid a courtesy call on Hun Sen and held separate meetings with Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and the ministers of commerce and agriculture. Photos showed Szijjarto did not wear a mask when meeting with Hun Sen and Prak Sokhonn, though other Hungarians did. Prak Sokhonn did not wear a mask and greeted his visitor with a handshake.

Later that day, Szijjarto traveled to Thailand, where he tested positive on arrival. He was placed in quarantine before leaving for Hungary on Wednesday, and all his meetings in Bangkok were canceled. The rest of his entourage tested negative.

Hun Sen, 68, has ruled Cambodia for 35 years.

Cambodia has reported about 300 cases of coronavirus in total and reopened schools on Monday for the first time since March, with class sizes and hours limited by anti-virus precautions.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in