Escaping the 'Pandemic' to Cambodia? Entry to the Ancient Kingdom is NOT as straight forward as it once was.
THE NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY TO CAMBODIA
If you were thinking of escaping the pandemic insanity of Thailand or didn't qualify as a "High End Tourist" in search of privacy and social distancing by retreating to Cambodia, entry into the Kingdom nowadays is not as straight forward as it once was.
The country now requires foreigners to make a US$3,000 deposit at a local bank upon entering the Kingdom to make sure any medical or quarantine costs can be met. A small fortune for some wishing to enjoy the Khmer hospitality. Travellers will also need to have a medical insurance with a minimum coverage of US$50,000 and a health certificate confirming them free of coronavirus issued within 72 hours of entering the country.
Above; Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Cambodian Media says testing also may need to be done before a traveller can enter which would be US$100 for a swab test, US$30 for overnight accomadation while waiting for test results to come back from a lab, US$30 for food and extra expenses for transportation. This would be takenout of the deposit made at the bank.
Isolation Period
Once travellers have met these requirements, they then must self isolate for 14 days at their hotel of choice, reporting to medical officers each day with another swab test to be done on the 13th day of isolation
The remainder of the deposit will be returned provided the passenger, and the rest of the people on their flight, have negative test results. Even so, they must self-isolate for 14 days after arrival in their chosen accommodation.
A traveller who tests positive and shows symptoms requiring hospital treatment will be taken to a state hospital and undergo up to four tests for Covid-19 costing $100 each. Should the traveller die, a funeral and cremation will cost $1,500.
Above; Pub Street Siem Reap Cambodia (pre-pandemic).
By comparison to the current standard of Thai requirements for entry that only allows Government officials, Diplomats and Business people, which includes having a valid Medical certificate obtained within 72 hours of travel, US$100,000 in health coverage and a Memorandum from the Thai Embassy and agreement to 14 days quarantine at the foreigner’s own expense, Cambodias non-selective entry requirements don't seem so bad.
Travelling to South East Asia as a tourist has largely been put on hold by most of the countries keeping strong control over their borders in the immediate and medium future. 'Travel Bubbles' are being seen as a way forward for reciprocal 'low risk countries' to re-introduce travel across their borders.
Thailand is yet to announce when passanger flights will return, it could be as late as September according to the CAAT (Civil Aviation Authority Thailand) . The Health minister and CAAT Cheif have both though formerly confirmed to reporters, once incoming passenger flights do resume "Mass Tourism" has been rejected in favor of "High End" tourists from where Thailand considers 'low risk' countries.
What the requirements for a visa and entry will be remains to be known. Foreigners currently in Thailand are subject to a visa amnesty which ends on July 31 2020.
Above; Angkor Wat, Siem Reap Cambodia.
MENZZOO MAGAZINE
June 2020
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