Cambodia recovers quickly after COVID-19 pandemic

Students in Cambodia walk to school. (Photo: VNA)

Phnom Penh (VNA) – Nine months after the February 20 community event, COVID-19 in Cambodia has been brought under control and the country is fully reopening in almost all sectors.

Chhay Sivlin, President of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, said that recovering from the February 20 event was a huge challenge and they should all remember it, and its lessons.

“Vaccines have played a major role in driving the Kingdom to the point where we can re-open. It took a great effort from the government, as well as the people, to ensure the success of the inoculation campaign against COVID-19. It is also key that Cambodia is well known internationally because of this success,” she noted.

The Ministry of Health's spokesman Hok Kim Cheng said on  November 21 that the country has reopened almost all sectors and schools let students access their education. Tourism is crucial to help the country recover its economy, however, he said, Cambodia can’t afford to relax the preventive measures that have adapted against the virus.

According to Dr. Li Ailan, World Health Organisation Representative (WHO) in Cambodia,  the country has not only achieved high overall vaccination coverage but vulnerable groups such as health care workers, the elderly, those with chronic conditions and pregnant women are being protected via vaccination. However, the WHO representative noted that the pandemic is not over.

Tourism Minister Thong Khon said Cambodia is ready to welcome international visitors fully vaccinated against COVID-19 based on the good tourist movement management during the Water Festival holiday which was marked November 18-20, the Cambodian National News Agency (AKP) reported on November 21.

He emphasised that this is a key prerequisite for receiving vaccinated international tourists with safety./.