Cambodia has, to date, through luck or good management, been fortunate to have not suffered the pandemic to the extent of neighboring countries or those further afar. As stated by the Cambodian CDC,
as of 9am April 9, 2020, we had identified a total of 118 cases of COVID-19 patients, and six more had recovered. A total of 68 have recovered and 0 deaths. We have not yet found evidence of community outbreaks, but there is a possibility.
That said, while Cambodia is fortunate to be currently avoiding the suffering that has fallen upon such places as the US, Italy, and China, life has undoubtedly changed.
Daily Life in the midst of the Global Pandemic
With many hotels, restaurants, bars and the like temporarily closing, workers from the hospitality industry have returned to their village homes and back to traditional ways of life while they struggle through what will be a period of unknown length without income. More than the income, many also lose their sense of purpose having taking great pride in their efforts to master different languages, various skills, and hold respected jobs.
Many have loans and commitments that will be impossible to meet. It’s a time when many will be facing profound hardship.
On top of the hospitality industry collapse is the next major employer, the garment industry, which has also been under pressure due to trade conditions with other countries with many factories now also suspending operations due to COVID-19. Fortunately, the government in conjunction with employers have and offered to pay part of workers’ wages while they are off work.
Another wave of layoffs comes from the large mass of workers that were employed in Thailand, working in resorts, restaurants, and factories that have now suspended operations. Numbering in the range of tens of thousands, they have had to leave Thailand and return home. For many Cambodian villages, the overseas workers were a source of income sending money home each month, now, there are extra mouths to find food for.
Out in the villages, daily life must go on, many are growing and planting vegetables as sustenance for the future and spending most of their time at home. Beliefs and superstitions have also come out to play with “Ting Mongs” guarding many village homes so as to ward off and even be the sacrifice should the virus come that way.
Gyms, Spa’s, KTV are closed to reduce mass gatherings, along with the major event on the Khmer calendar, Khmer New Year and the massive Sankranti at Siem Reap have been postponed. Khmer New Year is the liveliest celebration in the country, and one of the must experience festival destinations on the global calendar, with people from over the world coming to experience along with locals traveling across the country to be with family. This year, the Khmer people will stay put and hold low key celebrations at home.
Daily life on the streets is typified by people in masks, lone people walking or riding to somewhere, no groups other than the odd family. Nearly every shop has a bottle of hand sanitizer at the front door, larger supermarkets take your temperature before entry and spray your hands with sanitizer, some banks have even installed washbasins and hand dryers at their door.
Angkor Wat and all the temples of Angkor Archeological Park are still open but as you would imagine, there is almost no one there, which, for some who are here at this time, it will be a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience that no one else will ever likely have.
Once busy tourist streets, much like other parts of the world currently, are eerily quiet. Siem Reap’s famous Pub Street, the epicenter of tourists who flock to see the great temples of Angkor is deserted. Most businesses have temporarily closed and packed away their tables, there are no tuk-tuk drivers touting for fares, no hollas to passers-by from the market sellers or foot massagers.
For now, the once eclectic and bustling Pub Street is on pause, empty, and lifeless, but no doubt eagerly awaiting and ready to switch on when the time is right.
The Expat Community
For the expat community, the reaction has been mixed. Many immediately sold up their wares and jumped on the first available flight home. Some are still unsure about whether to stay or go, albeit it’s probably too late to get any flights out now. Some are in denial and think things will be fine in two weeks from now.
The Cambodian government has been incredibly generous to foreigners who are still in Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Sen has ensured that all foreigners will be able to receive medical care, and at no cost for COVID-19 sufferers. Those on tourist visas are to receive automatic visa extensions, other visa types can also be extended without issue. Although somewhat stressed and anxious, mostly, expats have been thankful, to say the least, and greatly appreciative. If there is one thing Cambodia demonstrates to the world, it’s how to use heart while looking for the bridge across troubled waters.
Travelers and Flight Chaos
Many people traveling in Cambodia through March were caught in flight chaos trying to get return flights to their home countries. Airlines were canceling flights and border entry rules at transit countries were changing daily.
Many had to try and get COVID tests done before they were allowed on flights due to rules in transit countries and when they did, some still got rejected at the border due to rule changes happening overnight, mostly speaking of Thailand.
I think many went through some tiring and expensive ordeals, to then enter into quarantine upon landing in their home countries.
Some, including one British group, organised their own charter flight. Many travelers have resigned to staying, seeking accommodation and shifting from holiday mode to daily living mode in a new country overnight.
Flights out of the country are decreasing daily.
A Broad Overview and Timeline of Cambodia in the time of Corona
- April 9, COVID-19 cases stand at 118
- April 9, District lockdown initiated – no inter-district travel allowed.
- from April 7, closing Spa and massage businesses to eliminate transfer
- on April 7, postponing Khmer New Year to stop any spread via the mass travel that occurs during the festival period
- April, managing (screening, quarantining, advising self-isolation) the mass of returnee Khmer nationals from Thailand numbering 60,000 at last report with 3,000 people crossing the land borders daily
- April 7, National Bank of Cambodia offers loan restructuring and moratoriums
- April 6, fish exports banned to maintain local supply
- April 5, stockpiling of facemasks, sanitizer, and protective clothing for frontline medical workers
- April 5, stockpiling and engagement of local factories for food production (rice, noodles, etc.)
- April 3, Gyms ordered to close
- April 3, World Bank approves USD20 million to assist Cambodia’s COVID-19 fight
- April 3, local factories are engaged in producing face masks, sanitizer and hazmat suits
- April 2, Ministers and senior officials donate their salary for fighting Covid-19 in Cambodia.
- April 2, Border crossing to Vietnam suspended
- April 2, gatherings of more than ten people banned
- April 2, IAEA sends a shipment of vital testing equipment to combat COVID-19
- April 2, US donates USD2 million to Cambodia to fight COVID-19
- April 1, PM Hun Sen donates his salary the National Committee for Combating COVID-19
- April 1, All casinos ordered to close
- from March 31, 14 Day self-quarantine for all foreigners entering the Kingdom plus the requirement for $50k medical insurance coverage and COVID-19 free certification (issued within the last 72 hours). Which is in line with major countries eg, Australia, USA, China etc.
- March 31, Border to Laos suspended
- March 31, Private clinics barred from accepting COVID-19 patients
- March 29, Cambodia, Vietnam to collaborate in combating COVID-19
- March 29, Camodias’ COVID-19 cases stands at 103
- March 27, Online tourist accommodation log launched to monitor Covid-19 pandemic
- March 26, Beer gardens ordered to close
- March 26, PM Hun Sen announces treatment of COVID-19 infected patients in Cambodia is free
- March 25, Government reserves than 3,000 hotel rooms for COVID-19 patients
- March 24, PM Hun Sen instructs governors to be prepared for COVID-19 and make hotels or education institutions available as standby facilities
- March 22, COVID-19 cases stand at 84
- March 21, Interior Minister establishes Covid-19 Committee
- March 21, ministries and institutions implement work-from-home policies
- March 20, COVID-19 stand at 47
- March 19, National Commission for combatting Covid-19 established
- March 17, Religious gatherings banned
- March 17, KTVs, cinemas ordered to close
- March 17, COVID-19 cases stand at 24
- March 17, Travel restrictions in place for US, Iran, and parts of the EU
- March 16, Ministry of Health has designated three hospitals in Phnom Penh (Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital, National Pediatric Hospital, and Kunthabopha Hospital), and 25 Provincial Referral Hospitals as medical facilities that can order a test for, and treat, suspected cases of COVID-19.
- March 16, Cambodia’s COVID-19 cases stands at 12
- March 14, foreigners traveling from United States, Italy, Germany, Spain, France and Iran are not allowed entry into Cambodia.
- March 14, visas suspended for five countries inc. Italy, Germany, Spain, France and US
- March 14, Siem Reap and Phnom Penh schools closed
- March 13, suspension of the entry of travelers through waterways (eg Cruise ships)
- March 9, Ministry announces COVID-19 war chest of $400 million
- March 7, Second case of COVID-19 in Cambodia. A Cambodian who had been in contact with a Japanese visitor.
- January 27, the first case of COVID in Cambodia was a Chinese man from Wuhan. Placed into isolation he later recovered and returned to China.
Local Government efforts
Local governments, such as the Siem Reap Provincial Government, have been visiting the remote villages checking on returnees from Thailand along with distributing information handouts masks or scarves, soap, water, rice, cooking oils, etc along with advising on hygiene practices.
They have also been running information and awareness campaigns across social media, in print and screen. Here are some examples of those campaigns
The Ministry of Health and CDC Cambodia provide daily updates and health information via their website and Facebook
Local Responses
Many local NGO’s and community groups are coordinating their own efforts to help those that they can be that by running food banks, making masks, and even setting up temporary medical centres in their areas.
It’s wonderful to see donations of goods coming into those services and how people know and appreciate that there are others out there who will be doing it tough through this time.
The pagoda in each village will obviously play a large role during this time which is a feature of Khmer society worthy of greater study.
What to do if you have symptoms, while in Cambodia?
If you have symptoms, call 115 first. Don’t go to the clinic. Ministry of Health has designated three hospitals in Phnom Penh (Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital, National Pediatric Hospital, and Kunthabopha Hospital), and 25 Provincial Referral Hospitals that can order a test for, and treat, suspected cases of COVID-19.
Where to access information in Cambodia?
Press Unit [English]: https://pressocm.gov.kh/en/
Ministry of Health: https://www.facebook.com/MinistryofHealthofCambodia/
CDC Cambodia: https://www.facebook.com/cdcmohcam/
COVID Map: https://covid19-map.cdcmoh.gov.kh/
Brighter days are ahead
Many reports from international agencies are reflecting on the post-covid return to normal, something very much on the mind of many locals who have huge investments into one of the nation’s main industries being tourism. Siem Reap and Sihanoukville have faced an almost complete shut down of their main income stream and will no doubt dearly be hoping for a return to normal.
Whilst it’s perhaps it’s anyone’s guess, Atmosphere Research Group has reportedly stated its research presents a two-year timeline to full recovery post COVID-19 being declared under control. I think many will be hoping for travelers returning long before that.
A Silver Lining
It could be said that it does provide a window for Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and the Angkor Authority to carry on works programs and resolve some infrastructure issues and prepare for new growth. Something they have wisely been doing with roadworks and drainage works taking place in Siem Reap and works well underway at temples including more trees, improving green spaces, repairs, and renovations.
Let’s hope the time is put to good use ready for an optimistic boom in tourism in the near future. Perhaps, Cambodia truly has something others may well need at this time, being optimism, kindness, and hope.