Are you traveling to Cambodia? This is all you need to know.
Cambodia has one of the lowest rates of coronavirus cases in the world, or so official data says. Only 130 cases have been detected since the start of the pandemic , mostly in major cities like Sihanoukville and the capital, Phnom Penh . All the more reason why the country has decided to open its doors with strong restrictions for tourists.
The main and controversial restriction has been to** ask travelers for a deposit of 3,000 dollars** (around 2,600 euros), and only for entering the country. In fact, forms will be enabled at the airport so that tourists can pay from there, in cash or card.
Why and for what is this money required? The Cambodian Ministry of Health wants, on the one hand, to curb possible infections, and on the other, to charge for medical tests, possible treatments and accommodation of infected or quarantined people. In other words, prevention is better than cure.
"Upon arrival, all foreign passengers must deposit $3,000 at the airport to pay for virus prevention services "said Sao Wathana, director of the Phnom Penh International Airport, according to the official tourism website.
The objective is that** all travellers, foreigners or not, pass from the airport to the testing centers**. And this is where the costs begin: $5 for the trip to the medical testing center, $100 for the COVID-19 tests, $30 for the stay in a hotel or a center while waiting for the results and 30 dollars for three meals a day.
In the event that the person tests negative, only the medical tests will be charged. and the rest of the deposit paid would be returned. But if the test is positive, the account will continue to rise. The Cambodian Ministry of Finance has given the green light to the following processes, which could mean for travelers a cost of about 50,000 dollars (more than 44,000 euros). In fact, the government recommends that travelers have coverage for approximately this amount of money.
If the traveler tests positive for COVID-19 , I would have to pay $100 for each test , with a maximum of four; $225 per day in the hospital, which includes medical treatment, food, laundry and other health services. And in the event of death, the deposit to be paid for cremation would be $1,500.
But there is even more, if a person tests positive, all the passengers with whom he has traveled ** will also have to quarantine for two weeks **. Of course, defraying your expenses.
"During the first stage we provided the services for free because our country was not really prepared. But now we have to take measures to prevent a second wave of the virus," said Sechou Sethychout, deputy director of the health department of Preah Sihanouk province, on June 11 when the measures came into force.
Cambodian businessmen are not happy with these harsh and expensive measures. In the Khmer Times some of those interviewed compare the measures to a travel ban. "The idea that tourists have to spend thousands of dollars and spend two weeks in isolation, even if they are free of COVID-19, means that 95% of people just don't come."
The government confirmed days later that the measures would be relaxed in the last quarter of the year, especially for those travelers who already certify from their country of origin that they are virus-free. “It doesn't have to be an entire country: we can allow visitors from towns or provinces that are free of coronavirus . Travel restrictions will be gradually eased and foreign visitors are expected to return in the third or fourth quarter of this year," Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said.
It is not uncommon considering the losses that the pandemic has caused Cambodia, about 3 billion dollars in the tourism sector alone.