Back home via Malaysia: 143 Cambodians return from Russia and Egypt
143 Cambodians at Kuala Lumpur International Airport wait to board MH754 to return home. Supplied
Passengers waiting at to catch their flight from Malaysia to Phnom Penh. Supplied
More than 140 Cambodians from Russia and Egypt traveled home yesterday via Malaysia Airlines Flight MH754.
Cambodian Ambassador to Malaysia Cheuy Vichet said yesterday a total of 143 Cambodians, comprising 98 military trainees, one student, and one stranded citizen from Russia, as well as 43 students from Egypt, traveled via Kuala Lumpur to Cambodia, at midnight.
“The repatriation was done with the cooperation and coordination of the Cambodian Embassy in Moscow and Cairo,” he said.
“Some of them are military trainees and students who have graduated. Others are coming back to take up internships while the rest are here for a vacation,” Vicet added.
Before departing Kuala Lumpur, Vichet distributed masks and hand sanitizers to all the passengers.
He advised them to be cautious and to strictly follow travel health measures.
Or Vandine, Health Ministry spokeswoman, told Khmer Times yesterday the passengers who will arrive at the Phnom Penh International Airport will be tested for the virus.
“The ministry will be conducting health checks for all these passengers entering Cambodia,” she said.
“If there is any further information, the Ministry of Health will inform the public.”
All passengers will take the COVID-19 test and will be placed under a 14-day quarantine in the capital before being allowed to leave for their homes, where they will then be required to sequester themselves for another 14 days.
The deputy director of Licadho, Am Sam Ath, said it was a good thing Cambodian workers and citizens are able to return home, noting that living abroad amid the pandemic had been difficult for them.
“We thank the Cambodian government and the Embassy of Cambodia in Malaysia for working hard to bring them home,” he said.
“However, we hope the government will give adequate care when they are in quarantine.”
According to Vichet, since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Cambodian Embassy in Malaysia has facilitated and arranged seven trips for a total of 898 Cambodians. Khmer Times
