World Health Organisation representative to Cambodia Li Ailan warned of a prolonged Covid-19 pandemic and urged solidarity as the Kingdom scrambles to contain the ongoing community outbreak, with six more deaths and 728 infections reported on May 2 alone.

“So essential to continue our collective actions to suppress the virus in Cambodia. The virus is still circulating … Relaxing Covid-19 measures too fast and too soon means a possible surge,” she tweeted before midnight on May 2.

Li’s tweet came just hours after Prime Minister Hun Sen hinted that the government would reopen the capital on May 5 as scheduled, with only a few areas at highest risks of transmission remaining in lockdown.

“There is no reason to continue the lockdown, but the capital or provinces can cordon off small areas that are still at high risk of transmission.

“Imposing the lockdown was a tough decision made by the government to prevent transmission and deaths of our people,” he wrote in response to a Facebook user who complained of getting stranded – and strapped – outsides Phnom Penh due to the restrictive measures.

The prime minister also urged people who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 to remain calm as the government would follow through with its plan to inoculate all residents of Phnom Penh and neighbouring Kandal province by June.

In an apparent move to allay concerns and build trust in Covid-19 vaccines procured by the government, Hun Sen posted pictures of football superstars Neymar Jr and Lionel Messi, citing Xinhua News agency reports that both had been vaccinated with Chinese Covid-19 vaccine Sinovac.

“Please understand common hardship of the nation,” he said.