PHNOM PENH: Almost two weeks after Pchum Ben, Prime Minister Hun Sen has declared that the three-day holiday has not had a major impact on Covid-19 cases in the country. The holiday was seen as a major test for the kingdom, ahead of an expected full reopening of the economy. The Prime Minister delivered a speech on Tuesday morning. While delivering his assessment of the holiday, he also urged people in the provinces to not bring their Covid-19 positive relatives to the capital for treatment, saying that provincial hospitals were more than capable.

No outbreak of Covid-19 resulting from Pchum Ben. This was emphasised by Prime Minister Hun Sen during Tuesday morning’s address. He says the number of daily Covid-19 cases and death toll have remained stable, considering that many people travelled across the country during the three-day holiday. Pictures of crowded places, especially at the coast, flooded the internet raising fears that the holiday would result in a huge spike in Covid-19 cases, but this hasn’t been the case.

Prime Minister Hun Sen says, as a result, the kingdom is on track for a full reopening. Despite this, he has urged the public to continue being vigilant as the pandemic shows no sign of ending anytime soon. He has also asked people in the provinces to stop sending their Covid-19-positive relatives to Phnom Penh as they might overwhelm the capital’s hospitals. He says the public should trust the provincial hospitals designated to treat Covid-19. The Prime Minister says these provincial facilities are fully-equipped with properly-trained doctors. He has also asked the general public to stop discriminating against Covid-19 patients undergoing home treatment.

Prime Minister Hun Sen concluded his speech asking for unity during the pandemic, saying now is the time to adapt to a “new normal” of living with Covid-19.