Cambodians are taking full advantage of the three-day national holiday and are flocking to the country’s favourite tourism hotspots, such as Kep, Sihanoukville and Angkor Wat.
Photographs released by the Ministry of Information show an impressive number of people visiting Angkor Wat. Social distancing appears to be in effect and people can be seen wearing masks. Siem Reap Provincial governor Tea Seiha has been reported as saying that since the city’s red zones were lifted, the vast majority of people appeared to have learned the lesson and have changed their behaviour. He says people are much less reckless and are taking the virus more seriously.
Thousands of people have also opted to visit Kep, with pictures on social media showing a packed beach and heavy traffic. Kep has been one of the country’s provinces least affected by Covid-19. It was one of the last provinces to be infected with the Delta variant and has had only a handful of cases.
Sihanoukville and its islands are also proving popular this week, but the province is taking no chances when it comes to infections. Deputy Provincial governor, Kheang Phearom, has been reported as saying that he has appealed to all residents and tourists to follow the Ministry of Health guidelines strictly, saying that he does not want the “happy holidays”to become the “sadness of infectious Covid-19.” Authorities in Sihanoukville are ensuring social distancing and that resorts adhere to the Ministry of Tourism’s standard operating procedures.
Most holiday-makers will start making their way back home on Thursday. Those heading back to Phnom Penh have been ordered by Governor Khoung Sreng to wear face masks when returning to the capital and to make as much use of private transport as much as possible. On Monday, he issued a directive to this effect, saying that those who could not use private transport should maintain as much social distance as possible and mask up.
Those returning home to the capital will also need to be mindful of the fact that they will need to carry their vaccination cards with them at all times. With effect from Tuesday 5 October, proof of vaccination is now mandatory in the capital to gain entry to markets, all shops, restaurants, hotels and other businesses.
