PHNOM PENH, May 24 (Phnom Penh Post/ANN): Prominent health officials have reiterated calls for the public to remain vigilant and adapt to the “new normal” in light of the recent lifting of lockdown and curfew as the Covid-19 community outbreak eases.
World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative to Cambodia Li Ailan noted that the Covid-19 virus was most transmissible within close contact settings.
“We have learned so much about how the virus can spread through people’s movements and contact. We know that once the virus enters into any “3C” setting like factories and markets without good Covid-19 risk mitigation measures, it will cause new outbreaks. Be vigilant, ” Li cautioned in a tweet on May 23.
“I understand why many of us are keen to go out after lifting lockdown and curfew. People need incomes... we all want fresh air, to walk around such an amazing city, eat outside and meet friends... But we have to be very careful about Covid-19. New infections are not going down yet.”
On May 21, Phnom Penh municipal governor Khuong Sreng announced that the 8pm-3am curfew in yellow zones and the ban on the sale of alcoholic drinks would be lifted starting May 22.
Businesses including cafes, restaurants and markets can let customers sit and eat inside their establishment as normal but they must require all customers to scan the “Stop Covid” QR code introduced by the government before entering.
Patrons also have to wear masks, have their temperature taken prior to entry and respect other preventive measures including the “three protections and three don’ts”.
Businesses such as entertainment clubs, cinemas, sports centres and museums will stay shut. Schools will also remain closed until further notice.
Ministry of Health spokeswoman and national vaccination committee chair Or Vandine reminded the public to adjust their lifestyles by adapting to the “new normal”.
“After experiencing lockdown we want to return back to our normal lives. But the Covid-19 virus is still circulating widely in the country. So we must adapt our normal lives to a new normal that prevents Covid-19 transmission for individuals, families and communities if we do not want to go through a cycle of recurring lockdowns, ” she said.
She also said that on May 22 a husband and wife had both died from Covid-19 on the same day. Such a tragedy, she said, should awaken and remind everyone that all members of the family living in one household, including children, must protect themselves at all times.
Vandine said people have to keep reminding themselves that they must not return home with the virus in order to protect themselves and their family from the suffering and sadness due to the loss of family members.
“If an individual eagerly returns to their daily activities and especially going about their daily business as normal as if no Covid-19 pandemic had occurred... we may soon have another surge of mass infections and be placed under lockdown, again and again, ” she said.
On May 23 alone, the health ministry reported nine more deaths from the disease, bringing the toll to 176. As of May 23, Cambodia had recorded a total of 25,205 Covid-19 cases with 17,701 recoveries. - Phnom Penh Post/ANN
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