Phnom Penh: A light at the end of a long tunnel. Prime Minister Hun Sen used Friday morning’s vaccination launch for children between the ages of 6 and 11 to declare that government is working on a strategy to reopen international tourism soon. Although no date has been announced, the kingdom’s plan is already in place.

Only seven days of quarantine will be required, but it won’t have to be spent in a stuffy hotel room. The plan is for fully vaccinated tourists from low-risk countries. Quarantine will be reduced to seven days – with foreign arrivals in Siem Reap and Sihanoukville being able to travel freely in and around those immediate areas. The Prime Minister says after seven days, those fully-vaccinated tourists will be able to travel freely around the rest of the country. There was no mention of Phnom Peng, but further details are expected in the coming days and weeks.

Only on Thursday did Minister of Tourism Thong Khon urge tourism businesses to start preparing for the reopening of tourism. It will begin domestically with Pchum Ben. Hotels, restaurants, resorts and transportation businesses are required to follow standard operating procedures as set out by the government. The Minister has emphasised that the reopening of tourism relies on people’s cooperation.