Phnom Penh:​ Prime Minister Hun Sen has announced the resumption of in-person meetings and inauguration ceremonies, as well as the reopening of the economy, most notably the resumption of international flights as soon as they can be arranged.

Addressing a Plenary Meeting of the Council of Ministers at the Peace Palace on Friday morning, the Prime Minister added that meeting in person is now recommended if possible, while meeting via Zoom should be seen as the alternative. As such, he is also preparing to attend the inauguration of the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, which is set for Monday 8 November.

He says, “If students are allowed to go to school, workers should go to work normally too. Next, we should restart other programs that we have cancelled, such as the inauguration of the Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge, the Stung Trang-Krouch Chhmar and other such achievements in Sihanoukville to which we have allocated a huge budget. If we do not reopen, dealing with economic collapse is tougher than dealing with death by Covid-19.”

The Prime Minister underscored the fact that a new normal is possible only due to Cambodia’s successful vaccination rollout and the achievement of herd immunity. As of Thursday 21 October, Cambodia has vaccinated over 85% of its total population. Close to two million people have already received their booster shot.