The Ministry of Tourism yesterday dropped the requirement for face masks at tourist facilities but urged people to keep them on at crowded and closed space.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Hun Sen lifted the rule requiring face masks in public after consecutive days of low Covid-19 cases.

The Ministry of Tourism said face masks were not required in resorts and tourist facilities across the country as they were designated as open space. But the Minister for Tourism Thong Khon in a statement said that a face mask was necessary in closed spaces at tourist facilities.

“People must also continue to carry out other health measures and standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to the tourist sector to prevent the spread of Covid-19,” Khon said.

“All domestic and international visitors must strictly follow the “mask mandate… in closed space tourist facilities including meetings, conferences, exhibitions, entertainment clubs, bars, KTVs, restaurants, canteens and other facilities with limited space and air conditioners,” he added.

Even before the mandatory mask requirement was lifted, people appeared to ignore the rule especially during the Khmer New Year rush earlier this month.

Prime Minister Hun Sen made it clear that even though there is no need to wear a mask in public, people must put it on when they are in a closed space where the ventilation is not good enough and in air-conditioned rooms.

“The choice is up to the individual whether to continue wearing one. It is no longer mandatory to wear mask outdoors but they will have to continue to wear one when they are in a crowded closed places,” he said.

• Tags: face masks, Tourism Ministry