Cambodia lifts travel ban on 10 African countries and issues revised procedures on quarantine

Cambodia lifts travel ban on 10 African countries and issues revised procedures on quarantine

The Ministry of Health has just issued a declaration lifting the ban on the entry of travellers from, or those who have passed through, 10 African countries into Cambodia and has also issued revised procedures on quarantine and testing for those entering Cambodia

The release from the Ministry states that “with the approval of Samdech Techo Hun Sen, the Prime Minister of Cambodia, regarding the new Omicron virus (B.1.1.529), the Ministry of Health has decided to lift the ban on passengers or those who pass 10 countries in Africa (Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Angola, and Zambia) or have a history of traveling to those 10 countries during the three weeks prior to entering Cambodia .’

The ministry says that the repeal of the travel ban will be replaced by the implementation of additional procedures of the standard operating procedures (SOPs)

The new revised standard operating procedures will manage passengers arriving at airports in Cambodia in accordance with the ‘new normal’ philosophy in the context of COVID-19 for travellers or those who have travelled through the above 10 countries or have a history of traveling to those 10 countries or other countries that are considered “countries of concern” during the last two weeks as follows:

1. Passengers who have been fully vaccinated against COVID 19 must obtain a COVID-19 Free Certificate (via PCR test) 72 hours prior to arrival in Cambodia, recognized by the health authority of the last country or host country before departure.

Upon entering Cambodia, passengers will be given a Rapid Test for COVID-19 on arrival.

In case of a positive rapid COVID-19 test result, a additional PCR test shall be performed at a place designated by the Ministry of Health or other authorities.

In case of a positive PCR test result, treatment is required.

In case of a negative PCR test result, quarantine is required for 7 days and a PCR test is performed on the 6th day of the quarantine.

2. Foreign travellers must book a hotel for 7 days of quarantine.

If the traveller does not book the hotel, he / she must go to the bank counter to deposit 1,000 (one thousand) US dollars to guarantee all the expenses during the 7-day quarantine at the place designated by the Ministry of Health or Local authorities.

3: Passengers who have not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 must obtain a COVID-19-Free Certificate (PCR test) 72 hours prior to arrival in Cambodia, recognized by the health authority of the host country or last resort.

Passengers who have not been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 have to undergo a 14-day quarantine, following standard operating procedures (SOPs) to control passengers arriving at Cambodia International Airport.

4: Foreign travellers are encouraged to have a COVID-19 Health Insurance Policy, which in Cambodia can be purchased from the Insurance Consortium, represented by Forte Insurance, through the website https://www.forteinsurance.com/covid-19-insurance/ . Khmer Times