The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has announced the expansion of operating hours for both the National Museum and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.

In addition to their established schedules, the museums will now stay open from 11:30am to 1:30pm instead of closing for lunch as previously.

Both museums endured long periods of closure during the pandemic but were reopened one year ago in November, 2021 after the Covid-19 situation improved through the government’s vaccination programme.

During the closure, the two museums used it as an opportunity to renovate, update and upgrade their infrastructures and exhibits.

The ministry said the expanded hours are in response to a noticeable increase in the number of visitors to the museums recently.

Also, the move comes as Cambodia’s traditional “high season” for tourism begins and Cambodia plays host to the ASEAN Summit and related meetings, which will see a large number of international visitors in the capital.