Cambodia officially becomes COVID-free

Cambodia has become COVID-19-free, according to a statement released by the health ministry on Tuesday.

According to the statement, no new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the country for the past 31 days.

The Southeast Asian country has recorded 136,262 confirmed cases, 133,206 recoveries, and 3,056 deaths since the pandemic began in January 2020, according to the report.

Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the health ministry, credited the country’s success in containing the pandemic to strong government leadership and the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.

She stated that Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen made the correct and timely decision to provide free COVID-19 vaccines to all Cambodians and foreigners living in the country.

“Vaccines are the most powerful tool to protect lives against COVID-19, reducing infections and deaths,” Vandine said.

Cambodia has so far vaccinated at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccines to over 15 million people or 94 per cent of its 16 million population, the health ministry said.

It added that of them, 14.3 million or 89.4 per cent, have been fully vaccinated with two required shots.

Also, some 9.25 million or 58 per cent, have got a third dose and 2.58 million or 16 per cent, have had a fourth dose.

Cambodia will begin offering a fifth dose of COVID-19 vaccines to priority groups from June 9.

Buoyed by its high vaccination rates, Cambodia has resumed all socioeconomic activities and reopened its borders to fully vaccinated travellers without quarantine since November last year.

Most of the COVID-19 vaccines used in the country are China’s Sinovac and Sinopharm.

Kin Phea, Director-General of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said vaccines had protected lives, stabilised the health system and helped restore the economy.

“The royal government of Cambodia has made the correct decision to choose China as a strategic supplier of COVID-19 vaccines and that’s why Cambodia has enough vaccines for its people,” he said.