Regional countries extends preventative measures to combat COVID-19
The administration of Cambodia's Phnom Penh capital on the evening of October 14 continued extending administrative measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 from October 15 to 28.
Hanoi (VNA) - The administration of Cambodia's Phnom Penh capital on the evening ofOctober 14 continued extending administrative measures to prevent the spreadof COVID-19 from October 15 to 28.
Thisdecision has dimmed the hopes for reopening of non-essential businesses suchas bars and massage parlors, even though Phnom Penh is a city with a highrate of vaccination. Business and occupational activities with a high risk ofCOVID-19 infection such as cinemas, karaoke bars, nightclubs, and other formsof entertainment continue to be suspended for an additional 14 days. However,the number of people meeting in group increase from 15 to 50 people in somecases.
Cambodian Ministry of Health spokeswoman Youk Sambath said the country'sinter-ministerial committee will work out a strategic plan on safelyreopening to boost the national economy. Thisstrategy requires people's participation in the implementation of epidemicprevention measures.
The committee isstudying the reopening without isolation for fully vaccinated COVID-19travelers from countries with low risk of COVID-19 infection and will submitthis recommendation to the Government in the coming time.
Accordingto Sambath, after the Pchum Ben holiday the number of COVID-19 cases inCambodia did not increase, possibly due to the effectiveness of the vaccines and the implementation of preventive measures.
Onthe same day, Indonesian COVID-19 Task Force spokeperson Wiku Adisasmito said the country would maintain the order to limit community activities(PPKM) during the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays.
Atan online press conference on October 14, Adisasmito stated that PPKM will bemaintained during the year-end holidays to continue to reduce COVID-19 cases.He also urged people to comply with the government's anti-epidemic measures,and hoped that local authorities would monitor and control travel activitiesto prevent the spread of the epidemic
According to the official, experience from previous outbreaks shows thatCOVID-19 cases often increase after the relaxation of social restrictions,but there is a lack of regional adjustment.
Meanwhile,small-scale PPKM is deployed simultaneously in all areas, down to thehousehold cluster and residential group level, has proven effective in reducing COVID-19 cases./.
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Illustrative image (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
