SIEM REAP: The Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Working Group of the Royal Government and the Private Sector for the Restoration and Promotion of Tourism in Cambodia in and after the Covid-19 Crisis, Thong Khon, chaired the second inter-ministerial meeting of the Executive Working Group to assess and manage safe tourism destinations in Siem Reap with the participation of representatives of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment, Secretariat of State for Civil Aviation, General Department of Immigration, APSARA Authority and the Siem Reap Provincial Administration, led by the Governor of Siem Reap, Tea Seiha.

The second meeting was held to assess and manage safe tourism destinations in Siem Reap, which are priority destinations in Cambodia as the new Omicron variant continues to make the Covid-19 outbreak reach new stages in the country.

Minister Thong Khon stated that the identification of areas or destinations for safe tourism must be based on four achievement indicators: first, the rate of vaccination (aimed at building community immunity); second, the rate of Covid-19 patients with moderate and severe cases, along with the Covid-19 mortality rate; third, the ability to respond, treat and manage the potential risks of the new Omicron strain; and fourth, the readiness of the tourism industry.

In addition, after receiving a request for this matter during the meeting, Minister Thong Khon decided to take up the proposal on the reopening of issuing Visa on Arrival for tourists arriving by air or sea. He said that they must first follow health policy to request the review and approval of this proposal from the Executive Committee and the Royal Government.