PM Hun Sen: No Holidays For This Khmer New Year

PM Hun Sen: No Holidays For This Khmer New Year

In order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection in the country, all workers and civil servants in all sectors have to work as normal on the Khmer New Year celebrations, announced PM Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, at a press conference here at the Peace Palace this morning.

Working at factories and other workplaces is safer than travelling during the Khmer New Year as COVID-19 pandemic remains a major concern, he added.

The Premier called for understanding from all civil servants and workers, underlining that the Royal Government will return the five-day holidays when the situation gets better.

PM also appealed to his compatriots to reduce the travelling from Phnom Penh to the countryside, to their homeland and tourist attractions; and enhance the personal, family, and community hygiene, especially keep social distancing to prevent the contamination of COVID-19 pandemic.

Cambodian people are going to celebrate their traditional New Year next week from April 13 to 16. Generally, people go to pagoda, return to their homeland, travel to different tourism destinations, visit their respective family members and relatives as well as have social activities.

There is no Khmer New Year holidays this year, but PM said ritual ceremonies will continue to be held at our respective homes.

“We can organise a welcome ceremony for new Tevoda (angel) at our respective homes, go to pagoda, but public gathering and traditional entertainment activities are not recommended […],” he said.