The Cambodian Authorities Announces that Schools Will Reopen on Nov. 23
FILES: Face mask-clad students walk through a gate equipped with disinfectant spray as part of measures against the COVID-19 coronavirus in Phnom Penh on September 7, 2020. (Photo: AFP)
- Phoung Vantha
- November 19, 2020 6:26 AM
A shutdown was recently ordered following the visit of a foreign diplomat who tested positive for COVID-19 after meeting hundreds of people in the country
PHNOM PENH—The Cambodian government has announced that schools, museums and cinemas will reopen on Nov. 23 and that events involving gatherings such as weddings, religious ceremonies or festivals will be allowed to take place.
Prime Minister Hun Sen made the announcement on Nov. 18 in a message to the Cambodian government’s “Public Official Documents" Telegram Group.
“[J]ust pay attention to the issues relating to hygiene in connection with the measures outlined by the Ministry of Health," he said, adding that those measures must continue to be implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
His announcement follows the country shutting down again due to the official visit of Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó on Nov. 3 who tested positive for the coronavirus the following day in Thailand.
According to the Ministry of Health, a total of 1,422 people were identified to come into direct or indirect contact with him during his one-day visit, and had to go into a 14-day quarantine.
Among them, four people tested positive for the coronavirus and were hospitalized, the ministry said. One of the patients was Cambodian People’s Party Parliamentarian Sous Yara who has since recovered, the ministry added.
In his message, Hun Sen explained that the quarantine of people who were in contact with the Hungarian minister will end on different days.
People in Phnom Penh and Kampong Thom, Kandal, Prey Veng and Pursat provinces may come out of quarantine on Nov. 19; those in Kampong Chhnang Province on Nov 21; those in Kampong Cham, Kep and Preah Sihanouk provinces on Nov. 23; and people in Preah Vihear and Ratanakkiri provinces on Nov 25, he said.
Following the prime minister’s announcement on Nov. 18, the Ministry of Health sent a letter to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, the Phnom Penh municipal authorities and provincial authorities, informing them that they may authorize the reopening of cinemas, museums and theaters in the country.
As of Nov. 19, Cambodia’s number of COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic stood at 304. Among them, 12 people are currently being treated while all the others have recovered.
