CAMBODIA lifted its 15-month flight ban from Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia on Saturday as the country continues its roadmap towards living with Covid-19.
The lifting of the ban came after Prime Minister Hun Sen had earlier in the week called for a review on the temporary ban as several Asean countries had relaxed or lifted quarantine requirements to kick start their economies, and the travel and hospitality industry.
Khmer Times reports that Cambodia had also started accepting E Visa applications for tourism.
The daily said it learned that at least one of the three airlines which used to have regular flights to Cambodia prior to the pandemic, was now looking to resume flights as soon as possible.
Malaysia Airlines is expected to be the first to resume flights but details are expected to be only released over the coming days or week while Philippines Airlines is also expected to resume flights soon.
A Cambodian airline is also reportedly trying to start flights to Indonesia.
With the resumption, Malaysians in Cambodia can now fly directly to Malaysia instead of transiting in Singapore or other countries.
Both Malaysia and Cambodia have a similar seven days quarantine either at home or hotel for those allowed to enter.
The Times said that it was now time for Asean countries to have a standardised format for arrivals as some countries, like Singapore, do not allow foreign passport holders to enter Singapore unless with special permission.
It said Cambodia could also emulate Thailand in allowing quarantine exemptions that will start next month for fully vaccinated foreign tourists.
Meanwhile, The Phnom Penh Post reports Hun Sen saying that all official events in the country will resume in November while schools, factories, markets and other establishments will no longer be closed even if there is an outbreak of Covid-19.
In case of an outbreak, he said those infected will be admitted for treatment and the establishments will just be disinfected and allowed to resume operations.
He said the Covid-19 situation in Cambodia has improved significantly with far less daily infections and deaths, allowing for a gradual resumption of economic activities in the lead up to a full reopening of the country.
"We cannot stay in the hole any longer ... We will reopen schools across the country for our students to pursue their study from Nov 1 onwards," he said.
The premier also instructed relevant authorities not to close an entire school, market or factory where people test positive for the coronavirus.
He added that only patients in serious conditions should be admitted to hospitals, while asymptomatic patients should get treatment at home.