AEC News has reported that Cambodia plans to reopen but with strict requirements. Based on a letter sent by Cambodian Minister for Economy and Finance, Aun Pornmoniroth the following requirements will be in place:
- Visitors must have a negative COVID-19 test issued less than 72 hours prior to travel
- Visitors must have at least $50,000 in health insurance cover
- Visitors will be required to pay a $3,000 deposit on arrival
- Visitors will be taken by bus to a waiting area where a RT-PCR test ($5 fee charged for bus, $100 fee charged for test)
- Visitors will be required to wait overnight for the results of the test ($30 fee charged for the hotel, $30 fee charged for three meals)
- If all visitors results are negative then everybody is free to leave. If even one visitor has a positive result then all passengers are quarantined for 14-days in a government facility ($84 per day). An additional test will need to be done ($100 for test)
- Visitors testing positive will be taken to hospital ($225 per day) and up to four additional tests will be done ($100 per test)
- If you happen to die you’ll also be charged $1,500 for cremation
A lot of countries are starting to reopen or announce plans for reopening. People thought the original Maldives requirements were strict (since changed to no requirements) but Cambodia has taken it to the next level. It’s a bit strange that each expense is broken down so thoroughly, it seems as if everybody will be charged $165 at minimum ($5 bus, $100 test, $30 hotel & $30 in meals) so it would probably make sense to just charge a flat $165 fee. I’d also be interesting to know what happens after the first positive test. If during the 14 day lock down period another person tests positive does the 14 day clock restart? In any case I can’t really see anybody going through this for a regular vacation. I suspect this is less about allowing regular visitors back in and more about letting families and long term residents visit/return.
Hat tip to One Mile At A Time
