Vaccinated Foreign Arrivals’ Quarantine to Be Cut Down to Seven Days

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Authorities stand at attention outside a Phnom Penh quarantine center in February 2021. (Phnom Penh Police Facebook)
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Starting Monday, vaccinated arrivals from abroad will only have to quarantine for seven days, with even shorter times for some groups, a document issued by the Health Minister says.

The document, dated Saturday, still disallows visas on arrival, but cuts down on quarantine requirements at all entrances to the country:

  • “General” vaccinated travelers, including foreigners, Cambodians, tourists and     businesspeople who do not have approved invitation letters, will need to quarantine for seven days. Foreigners will need to have obtained visas ahead of time.
  • Those who are unvaccinated will need to quarantine for 14 days.
  • Investors and technical staff who have approved invitation letters, as well as diplomats and officials on A and B type visas, will need to quarantine for three days.
  • Official guests of the government will have special quarantine requirements decided on a case-by-case basis.

Travelers to Cambodia must also have an official document from within 72 hours of arrival showing they have tested negative for Covid-19, and they will also receive a test upon arrival.

Arrivals must also produce proof of vaccination and are expected to have a reservation at a quarantine hotel. Those without a booking will need to leave a deposit of $600 for three-day quarantine, $1,000 for seven days and $2,000 for 14 days. People who cannot pay for hotel quarantine will be sent to a state quarantine facility, according to the document.

The document says the changes in quarantine requirements — from the previous requirement of 14 days for most arrivals — follows the success of the country’s vaccination campaign.

“The Royal Government of Cambodia has decided to reopen Cambodia gradually and in phases, with caution and high responsibility,” it says.

The health authorities’ document does not say when it will be possible to obtain tourism visas again, or when visas on arrival will be reintroduced. Previously, the government has spoken of creating a tourism bubble in Siem Reap, where tourists can arrive to the city as long as they spend the first week within its confines. An official date for the travel bubble has yet to be announced.

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