By:
• Cambodianess

• July 26, 2020 , 7:02 AM

This measure is meant to curb the number of COVID-19 cases in Cambodia
PHNOM PENH—The Cambodian government announced on July 25 the temporary suspension of all flights from Malaysia and Indonesia. This comes as several passengers arriving on flights from these two countries over the last few weeks tested positive for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).  

“The anti-COVID-19 committee would like to inform the general public that, in accordance with a letter signed on July 25 by Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen, any inbound flights from Malaysia and Indonesia will be temporally suspended effective August 1,” Health Minister Mam Bunheng said in a press statement.

The decision was in response to the number of COVID-19 cases identified among passengers arriving on flights from these two countries, he said.

“Among the 108 cases that were identified from June 20 to July 25, the majority of them are passengers on flights from Indonesia and Malaysia,” Bunheng said.

He added that this also is a measure taken to prevent the spread of the disease as the country is about to hold national holidays in August and September.

Many people are expected to travel across the country during the national holiday scheduled for Aug. 17 to 21—decreed by the Cambodian government to compensate for the cancellation of Khmer New Year last April. And in September, Cambodians will celebrate Pchum Ben, which is the country’s most important religious celebration of the year during which people honor departed family members.  

In the press statement, Bunheng called on the public to remain vigilant and keep good personal hygiene to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in order to thwart a second wave of infection.
As of Sunday (July 26), Cambodia has officially reported 225 COVID-19 cases countrywide. Among them, 143 patients have recovered, 80 remain hospitalized while the two American diplomats who tested positives for the coronavirus are at the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh.