PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen has put an end to the major outbreak in Cambodia – the February 20 Community Transmission Incident, 10 months after The announcement, released in a voice message, finally addresses the biggest struggle of the kingdom in its fight against Covid-19.
EAC News hit the streets of Phnom Penh to check how citizens have dealt with their life and finances during these ten months, and what they expect after the announcement concluding the incident.
The February 20 community outbreak started when four tourists escaped quarantine from Sokha Hotel bribing security guards, resulting in more than 120,000 infections with over 3000 people losing their lives.
Just when the kingdom has recorded no death for the first time in several months, Prime Minister Hun Sen has surprised the whole country announcing the end of the incident.
It comes as a good surprise for the Cambodian people, who have struggled with business, or even with schools, being closed to avoid the transmission of the virus.
The efforts have shown good results, especially thanks to the well implemented vaccination campaign and the public support, reaching more than 90% of fully vaccinated citizens.
EAC News asked people in the streets how was life during the February 20 community outbreak and what are they expecting for the future after Prime Minister’s announcement.
Chanthy, a vegetable seller, told EAC News that situation has improved for his sellings: “Before it was hard but after they re-opened the country now it’s better. After they close the 20 February Community Outbreak Event, I feel happy because we now can re-open our business and don’t have to worry about closing again. Thank you the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Sen for help fighting against the Covid 19 and us to re-open our business and don’t have to worry about closing the country again."
Dara, a cosmetic shop seller, told EAC News her story during the hardest moments of the pandemic: When they first announced about the 20 February Community Outbreak Event, the selling has decreased, no customers so it also made the family finance decreased too. When they announced closing the 20 February Community Outbreak Event, I feel happy because I can re-open my business like before and I can go wherever I want it’s not hard like before."
Sok, a vegetable seller has expressed his experiences during the 20 February Community Outbreak Event: "When the country locked down, I couldn’t sell anymore and I lost a lot of income. When they re-opened the country all the traders can come back to sell and there’s a lot more customers too. My livelihood is also better than before. I would like to say thank the royal government for prevention the Covid 19 and a very big thanks to PM Hun Sen that has announced the re-open the country that make all the traders easy to do their business."
Sivutha, a clothes seller said: "After the 20 Feb event has announced we have worried that it will spread more and more and it will affect our business. After the head of government has announced the closing of 20 Feb event, our business now can run better also there’s more customers coming. They don’t have to worry again because they already understand about the 20 February event so after the re-open of the country back, people don’t have to worry, and they can have more confidence because they have received enough vaccines so they are all less worried. I would like to say thank to the head of the government, especially Prime Minister Hun Sen that has helped all the citizen to get them receive more knowledge and get everyone vaccinated."
The Cambodian leader has made the decision in the wake of the Omicron variant, with four imported cases detected from international arrivals. However, he has urged people not to get panic. In his speech on Monday, Prime Minister says that the death toll has come down steadily to this day, with no deaths being recorded and it is considered a success or a big reduction in the struggle with Covid-19.
Prime Minister Hun Sen has also thanked international partners and nations for helping Cambodia towards success on the vaccination campaign.
Currently, more than 14 million of the population have been vaccinated. However, he still continue to encourage everyone to get their booster shots. He has hoped that there will no longer be community outbreak that will occur in Cambodia and that people will continue to learn to live with Covid-19.
