Omicron threatens new normal, PP considers closing some businesses

Omicron threatens new normal, PP considers closing some businesses

Cambodia’s Omicron cases have quadrupled in a week of heavy blows and overwhelmed the Kingdom’s capacity to deal with the epidemic as daily cases surge to record highs, leaving authorities scrambling to control the deepening outbreak.

Yesterday, official Omicron cases reported by the Health Ministry increased fivefold. Yesterday these jumped to 512 cases daily from around 100 weeks ago.

Experts are concerned that if Omicron still increases because individuals aren’t strictly implementing health measures it will affect the entire recovery plan, while Phnom Penh city officials are looking to close down high-risk businesses.

Health Ministry spokesman Hok Kim Cheng said yesterday that officials are keeping their eyes on the new surge of Omicron.

“Omicron runs wild unlike Delta and Alpha despite the mild health condition once people are infected but this works only for those who are at least fully vaccinated or even received the booster shot. For the unvaccinated, they might fall ill,” he said.

“While the confirmed cases are increasing, it is devastating to what the government has built for the country to recover from the pandemic. It will lead to a big outbreak and lockdowns, several businesses shut down, an unemployment crisis and so on. We were almost there (successfully transitioning to the new normal), but now the surge is happening,” he added.

Kim Cheng said: “For those who are under home treatment, they have to make sure they won’t spread the virus to others by following the SOPs. For those who come into direct contact with the patient, please observe yourselves for symptoms. No quarantine is needed as before for those who are fully vaccinated but for those who aren’t, please do so to prevent spreading the virus to others.”

Economy Minister Aun Pornmoniroth said yesterday: “I would like to encourage all stakeholders, both public and private, to continue to implement the government preventive guidelines, including health measures and administrative measures.”

Phnom Penh deputy governor Keut Chhe said that the officials are considering to close down entertainment services to prevent an outbreak.

“We are considering this decision because Phnom Penh has the record of the highest confirmed Omicron cases,” he said.

In addition, in February, Prime Minister Hun Sen congratulated all Grade A students who passed the National Exam and said he will host an in-person appreciation ceremony later this month.

“I had planned to meet only Grade A students from Phnom Penh and Kandal province and the other Grade A students from other provinces could attend the congratulation ceremony via online. But now I can meet all 1,753 Grade A students in Phnom Penh because they and their parents would like to visit Phnom Penh too,” he said.

However, due to Covid-19 spread the meeting has been postponed until further notice.

Yesterday, Mr Hun Sen announced on his Facebook page: “For the safety of the Grade A students and participants, I decided to postpone the meeting scheduled for February 28. Maintaining life and health is our main task now. Stay alive and healthy. There is no shortage of meeting time.”