People celebrate the New Year in Phnom Penh on January 1. Hong Menea
The Ministry of Health urged Cambodians and foreigners living in Cambodia to join the government in preventing Covid-19 community transmissions as Christmas and New Year’s Eve are approaching.
The Covid-19 situation in Cambodia has largely eased, with individuals who tested positive for Covid-19 in connection with the November 28 community incident – a reference to the first confirmed case of local transmission – continuing to recover.
However, the Covid-19 situations in the region and other parts of the world have not subsided, prompting the ministry to issue the warning.
The ministry said people need to consistently follow the guidance of the prime minister and the ministry. They are required to follow main precautionary measures such as wearing masks, washing hands with soap, alcohol or gel and maintain social distancing.
They are advised against going to indoor, overcrowded places as well as hugging or shaking hands.
Health ministry spokeswoman Or Vandine said the government had carried out strict Covid-19 protective measures, with no Covid-19-related deaths recorded so far. She praised medical professionals for helping to implement the measures professionally.
“[The ministry] has responded and intervened quickly according to five principles – search [suspected cases], contact tracing, isolation, treatment and protection,” she said.
She said the government, civil society organisations and inter-sectoral partners had collaborated well in response to Covid-19.
Christian Cambodia instructed bishops, priests and pastors and Christians of all denominations not to celebrate Christmas this year. They have to follow the Covid-19 preventive measures consistently, under the advice of the health ministry, including wearing masks, taking temperature, washing hands frequently and maintaining social distancing.
They also have to limit the number of participants at churches, take turns to participate in ceremonies, and are advised to postpone ceremonies or celebrate them at home.
On December 21, the ministry reported a new imported case of Covid-19 – a 55-year-old Cambodian-American woman who arrived in Cambodia from the US via Taiwan on December 20.
The woman was travelling with 43 other passengers, all of whom tested negative for Covid-19. Among them, 36 passengers are in quarantine at a hotel in Phnom Penh while seven others are in quarantine at the Hun Sen Borey 100 Khnong High School.
As of December 21, Cambodia had recorded a total of 363 Covid-19 cases, with 345 recoveries.
