Cambodia fully reopened from November 1st, 2021

PHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hunsen announced the country’s reopening “from now onward, in all sectors”, including the phased re-entry of international tourists, on a Monday meeting that launched the vaccination program for children under 6 years old.

The decision is made based on the fact that Cambodia has given the Covid-19 vaccine to nearly 86% of its more than 16 million people, with more than 2 million people receiving booster shots. This great achievement makes Cambodia one of very few countries that have the most effective vaccination program in Asia. 

The country now can reopen in all sectors with restrictions on transport, domestic tourism, schools, and shopping are totally lifted. Most Cambodians are now vaccinated, we know the virus and how to stay safe, Hunsen said.

Cambodia, theoretically, has reached public immunization. The country even went ahead of many others to have completed vaccination programs for children from 6 years old.

The availability of vaccines in the stock, good preparation of other medical facilities, experiences gained in combating the virus, and effective treatment that has been proved recently make the country rather confident to cope with any future outbreak of the pandemic.

“We will not just depend on the vaccine. Cautions should be taken but it is now the time for us to leave the crab cave and get used to a new life”, said Hunsen.

A week earlier, the Tourism Ministry also announced the phased plan to reopen the country for fully vaccinated international tourists, starting Nov 30, 2021. According to the plan, visitors will only need to show the vaccination certificate and take a quick virus test on arrival. If the results are negative, visitors will stay at least five days without quarantine in one of the designated areas such as Sihanoukville, Koh Rong, and Koh Kong before they can travel freely in the country.