ASEAN

Cambodia reduces quarantine period for fully vaccinated

CAMBODIA has reduced its Covid-19 quarantine for fully vaccinated people entering the country from 14 days to between seven and just three days.

According to the Phnom Penh Post, the government said the three day quarantine applies to Cambodian officials returning from overseas missions, foreign diplomats, technical experts, cooperation project managers and coordinators, as well as businesspeople and investors with a guarantor or invitation letter.

It said the Health Ministry issued a notice saying accompanying family members will also have to undergo only a three-day quarantine if they have been fully vaccinated, or two weeks otherwise.

General inbound passengers, both Cambodians and foreign nationals, will now undergo quarantine for just seven days.

The 14-day quarantine remains for unvaccinated travellers or those who have not been fully vaccinated.

The reduced quarantine period is effective from tomorrow onwards.

The notice said the decision is aimed at protecting public health and easing burdensome restrictions for fully vaccinated people.

For high-level Cambodian and foreign delegations, the Cambodian government said it will determine a suitable quarantine time as warranted by the individual circumstances.

Cambodian officials returning from overseas missions must also carry vaccination cards or certificates indicating the make of vaccine and date of vaccination.

Upon arrival, officials must produce all the necessary documents and provide samples for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests.

After the tests, they will be sent to the pre-determined quarantine site but in case they cannot afford the accommodation, they will be sent to a designated quarantine facility with the costs covered by the government.

It noted that officials who have proper residence for self-isolation can submit a request three days prior to the quarantine committee that will decide whether to grant it.

Similar measures apply to foreign diplomats and cooperation project managers holding A or B class visas. They can undergo a three-day quarantine at their embassy or detached residence, or at hotels approved by the health ministry.

The hotels include Himawari, Sokha Phnom Penh Residence, Courtyard by Marriott, Raffles Hotel Le Royal and Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra.

Foreign businesspeople and investors, as well as technical staff and their family members need an invitation letter issued by locally registered companies that have fulfilled their tax obligations.

The ministry said the invitation letter must indicate that the guarantor will be responsible for personal expenses.

They also need to place a deposit of US$600 when arriving in Cambodia to be used for quarantine - or treatment if they are positive for the coronavirus.

Traveller must also have a Covid-19 insurance policy issued by Forte Insurance (Cambodia) Plc.

Those who hold a Cambodian or foreign passport with a K class visa, must show a certificate showing a negative result 72 hours prior to their arrival in Cambodia and produce full vaccination certificates proving they have received the jabs.

They will have to take Covid-19 antigen rapid tests upon arrival and PCR tests on day 6 of their quarantine before ending their quarantine on day 7, the notice said.

Foreigners who work in Cambodia - including tourists and technical staff and their family members who have no invitation letter - have to go through similar procedures set for foreign businesspeople and investors.

But they need to have US$1,000 on arrival to pay for their expenses on quarantine in Cambodia.

Travellers who have not been fully vaccinated have to take rapid tests upon arrival and PCR tests on day 13 of their isolation period before being allowed to leave the next day.

The ministry emphasised that all visas must be requested at Cambodian embassies abroad, as visas on arrival will not be offered.

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