SIHANOUKVILLE: The Khmer New Year has just ended on 16 April 2022. According to the Ministry of Tourism, more than 5.1 million people traveled across the country for the occasion.

EAC News interviewed some of the people who traveled during the Khmer New Year holiday, who said they are very happy that Cambodia is able to celebrate the traditional new year again. Many expressed their thanks to Prime Minister Hun Sen for successfully launching the national Covid-19 vaccination campaign, closing the 20 February Community Transmission event and reopening the country in all sectors.

The Preah Thong Neang Neak roundabout is a popular spot in Preah Sihanouk province where Cambodians celebrate the New Year, as it is the site where the largest statue in Cambodia and has just been erected. Many people came to take photos with the statue, and many were also not wearing masks.

38-year-old, Sen Yot, told EAC News, "It's fun to have the country open and back like before. In the past two years we did not even leave the house, because of Covid-19. But now, since the Prime Minister opened up the country, there are a lot of people here.”

Another citizen, 26-year-old Chan Khao, said, "I feel very happy! Even the road is very beautiful, and there is a crowd here. Before, I was not able to celebrate the New Year so I was very sad!”

Mrs. Vin, 39, told us, “I am really happy. We missed out on celebrations for two years, I did not go on any trips, I just stayed at home and felt so bored. I did not go anywhere.”

Several citizens expressed their gratitude to Prime Minister Hun Sen for all his efforts to bring Covid-19 vaccines to Cambodia, which has helped to build the community’s collective immune system and thus feel comfortable and secured enough to travel and enjoy the holiday during the Khmer New Year.

"Thanks to the government for issuing adequate vaccinations to the people. People now have the opportunity to meet and hang out with each other and not worry about getting infected with Covid-19,” said Mrs. Vin.

"I would like to thank Prime Minister Hun Sen for letting everyone in Cambodia receive Covid-19 vaccines. Even though Covid is still here, we have already been vaccinated, so we feel safer and happier than if we were not vaccinated,” said Chan Khao.

Another citizen, 31-year-old Ms. Sitha, said, "Thank you to the Prime Minister, for all his efforts to bring vaccines for people throughout the country. And also thank you for peace, thank you everyone, but especially thank you Prime Minister Hun Sen for bringing such fun back to the country.”

During the three-day Khmer New Year holiday, Sihanoukville received about 260,000 visitors, while Battambang province ranked first in the country with over 650,000 tourists. The Minister of Tourism, Thong Khon, has stated that the factors that have allowed people to go out and enjoy the holiday this year include the success of the national vaccination campaign as well as the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, which has given tourists and citizens confidence to travel and go on vacation.

The Royal Government of Cambodia launched a nationwide vaccination campaign in February 2021 following a major community outbreak that began on 20 February. It took Cambodia eight months to meet its target goal of full vaccinations, following which the country was able to reopen again on 1 November 2021.

Prime Minister Hun Sen stated during the inauguration of the "Preah Thong Neang Neak" statue in Sihanoukville on 16 April, that all the efforts made during 2021 were all for the achievement of a safe environment where Cambodians could safely engage in celebrations this year.

He said, “Last year was a difficult year. But our efforts from last year were all for today, this year. All that we worked hard for a few months ago was for today. I publicly declared that this year we have to celebrate the Khmer New Year, as our people have already suspended the celebrations for two years. The two-year interruption was due to the lack of vaccines distributed, but after our vaccination rate was high enough […] Because we have managed the Covid-19 outbreak well, and with the peace we have gained over the past 24 years, our people now are able to travel everywhere, with clothes and with the ease of new roads. Many of these points have made me happy with our people.”

The Prime Minister said that although he still has some concerns about Covid-19, he will encourage people to travel freely in the Kingdom of Cambodia and welcome Cambodians abroad to visit the country because the Royal Government has now lifted Covid-19 restrictions, even on foreigners, allowing all travelers to take responsibility for their own health and safety. However, the Prime Minister continues to call on citizens to implement the ‘3 Do’s and 3 Don’t’s’ health measures, and to get vaccinated against Covid-19, with both the basic and booster doses.

As of 17 April 2022, Cambodia has vaccinated more than 14 million people, which accounts for 92.84% of the total population. The Ministry of Health has also confirmed that no large-scale outbreaks of Covid-19 were recorded over the Khmer New Year.