Phnom Penh (FN), Feb. 25 – Prime Minister Hun Sen confirmed that all Westerdam passengers had left Cambodia and not a single case of Covid-19 can be found here, speaking at a graduation ceremony on Tuesday.

“We have done a good thing for Westerdam in terms of our humanitarian work. All passengers left Cambodia and did not leave a single case of Covid-19 in Cambodia," said the premier.

Prime minister also debunked the news that he had been diagnosed with the deadly virus.

“I do not have any disease. Otherwise how could I address today.”

“So far, no Cambodians have been infected with the Covid-19 virus, so it is good for tourists to come to Cambodia with confidence. The US-CDC’s confirmation also proves Cambodia’s credibility to welcome tourists,” the premier said yesterday.

The Westerdam cruise, carrying a total of 1,455 passengers and 802 crew members, departed China's Hong Kong on 1 February, and had been turned away by several countries and regions due to fears over the virus before being allowed by Cambodia to dock in the port of Sihanoukville on Valentine’s Day.

The Malaysian Government announced on 14 February that an American woman who flew to Malaysia on Friday after disembarking from the Westerdam ship in Cambodia tested positive with Covid-19.

However, the US-CDC told USA TODAY on late Friday that the 83-year-old American woman who was said to have tested positive for coronavirus in Malaysia has been re-tested and never had coronavirus.

Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also rejected the assertion made by several foreign media and institutions that Cambodia may have allowed passengers carrier of the virus to leave the Westerdam cruise ship, which increased global coronavirus spread, according to the press release issued on 24 February 2020.

“Cambodia’s firm stance vis-à-vis its decision to allow the Westerdam cruise ship to dock in its port so as to enable safe passage for its passengers to their respective home country destination. Its actions were motivated solely by sheer compassion, a sense humanity, a profound conviction on the value of international solidarity and responsibility but nevertheless grounded on sound medical and scientific prudence,” the ministry wrote.

“For a matter as serious as this global health threat, the ministry rejects such irresponsible and unethical journalism in as much as some foreign official statement which misled the public, exacerbated the fear, cause unnecessary burden and panic, and tarnished the image of Cambodia,” the statement added.