With people ready to leave for their respective hometowns to celebrate Pchum Ben, Prime Minister Hun Sen on September 23 called for adherence to preventive health measures to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The call came a day prior to the September 24-26 public holiday – also the first day of the rollout of free public bus services organised by the Phnom Penh Municipal Hall for people to visit their hometown for family reunion.

“May you all be safe travelling, whether to your hometown or to a recreational destination ... Please protect your health, and be sure to practise the 'three dos and three don’ts,” said Hun Sen in a social media post.

The Capital Hall has prepared 175 buses to transport people free of charge for five days from September 23-27.

Passengers embark on a public bus in Phnom Penh's Russey Keo district. Heng Chivoan

The free transport aims to reduce the expenses of the public, including civil servants, members of the armed forces, workers, and all students.

Hun Sen also renewed his call for all transport businesses and taxis to keep their fares the same as before Pchum Ben, as this would amount to joining the government in facilitating a successful holiday for all citizens.

Of the 175 free buses, 55 are for Phnom Penh residents and 120 for people to travel to many of the Kingdom’s provinces and return to the capital.