Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday announced the postponement of the Khmer New Year holidays as the Kingdom seeks to contain the Covid-19 pandemic. Hun Sen said the government will instead make up for it with a five-day holiday at an appropriate time.

“I’ve chosen to suspend the Khmer New Year holidays. Those in the public and private sectors are required to work as usual. Workplaces are the safest places now,” he said during a press conference at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh.

“If people are allowed to travel around, the country could be at its greatest risk after the Khmer New Year.

“So please understand the difficulties the country is facing now. It’s not just the government that is facing hardship. It’s the people who will suffer the most.

“So far, only one head of state has been in the intensive care unit [for Covid-19] – it’s British Prime Minister Boris Johnson,” he said.

Elaborating on his decision, Hun Sen said staying put is the best option in preventing the virus’ spread.

“What’s the point of spending the three-day holiday in your hometown when people suspect each other of carrying Covid-19?

“Those in the countryside are afraid of contracting the virus from city dwellers, and you are scared of getting infected while visiting the countryside too. So it’s best to stay in one place,” he said.

Hun Sen urged people to cut down travel to their hometowns and other recreational areas to avoid transmitting the virus from one place to another.http://https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/khmer-new-year-holidays-postponed-0