Countries around the world are gradually reopening in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, each implementing unique regulations to ensure the safety of locals and visitors alike. Cambodia has introduced a notable requirement: visitors must provide a $3000 (£2400) deposit in cash or via credit card for “COVID-19 service charges” upon arrival at the airport. Furthermore, travelers are required to possess comprehensive travel insurance coverage of $50,000 (£40,000).
Cambodia is celebrated among backpackers for its rich cultural heritage, particularly the Unesco-listed temples of Angkor Wat, alongside the vibrant capital of Phnom Penh.
Upon arrival, travelers are required to pay a $5 (£4) fee for transportation to a testing center, followed by a $100 (£80) fee for a COVID-19 test. An overnight stay at a designated hotel or “waiting center” while awaiting results costs $30 (£24), and meals are an additional $30 (£24) per day. The remaining deposit will be refunded, provided the traveler and fellow flight passengers receive negative test results; however, they must self-isolate for 14 days at their chosen accommodation.
In the event of a positive COVID-19 test, the traveler is responsible for a treatment fee of $3150 (£2500) at the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital in Phnom Penh, along with up to four additional tests costing $100 (£80) each. If deterioration occurs, the cremation service charge is $1500 (£1200). Should any passenger on a flight test positive for COVID-19, all individuals from that flight must endure a two-week quarantine in approved accommodations, amounting to $1176 (£939), with a second test at a cost of $100 (£80).
As of now, Cambodia has reported only 128 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and zero fatalities. By enforcing such rigorous entry requirements, it is evident that the country is dedicated to preventing the virus from spreading in the future.
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