18 November, 2020
The Ministry of Health of Cambodia (“MOH”), through Announcement No. 226 dated 11 November 2020 (“Announcement No. 226”), amended the entry requirements and sponsorship mechanism for all travellers who are investor-business persons, company staff, experts, skilled workers, and technicians(these travellers include those from China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, the United States, and the European Union), as well as regular foreign travellers, diplomats and international organisation officers holding (Type-A)/Official (Type-B) visa, including Cambodian travellers (collectively known as “Travellers”).
Implementation of Announcement No.226 will commence from 18 November 2020 onwards. It is therefore important to understand the procedures and requirements that Royal Government of Cambodia (“RGC”) will enforce for each category of travellers:
Requirements for investor-business persons, company staffs, experts, skilled workers, and technicians from China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, United States, and European Union:
Before arrival, travellers within this category are required to possess:
- a Medical Certificate from the relevant authorities of their home country evidencing that they have tested negative for COVID-19 not longer than 72 hours prior to departure;
- a Guarantee Certificate sponsoring the Traveller and guaranteeing that the Sponsor will cover all expenses arising from any treatment and quarantine of the Traveller. This Certificate is valid for only 30 days and may only be applied by the Sponsor through the following government webpages:
– registrationservices.gov.kh;
– cambodiainvestment.gov.kh; or
– cdcmoh.gov.kh
The applicant shall provide details of his/her travel schedule, purpose of travel, activities of the first 14 days post quarantine, people they will interact with, locations which they will travel to, and place(s) of residence; and
- Valid entry visa.
Upon arrival at the airport:
- The above documents shall be presented to immigration authorities;
- These Travellers will be tested for the COVID-19 virus before being transported to their designated accommodation.
Expenses: The Sponsor will be responsible for all expenses arising from quarantine or treatment of the Traveller (where applicable).
Regular foreign travellers shall upon arrival:
- Undergo quarantine (in a designated facility) for 14 days;
- Deposit USD2,000 (for use in setting off against test fees, transportation, and any other expenses. Remaining amounts will be refunded to the traveller); and
- Purchase a health insurance package for COVID-19 treatment through FORTE Insurance Company’s webpage https://www.forteinsurance.com/covid-19-insurance/ which costs USD90 and is valid for 20 days.
Expenses: Quarantine accommodation costs USD60 – USD75 per night. Other expenses will be subject to MOH Announcement No. 564 dated 11 June 2020 on Pricing Policy for Foreign Travelers Entering Cambodia Receiving COVID-19 Test, Quarantine, and Treatment Services at Public Hospitals
Diplomats and officials of International Organisations Holding A-Type Diplomatic Visas and Official Type-B Visas shall:
- Comply with the requirements of MOH Announcement No. 170 dated 5 August 2020 on Revised Health Measures to be applied to Diplomats and International Organisations Representatives Holding A-Type Diplomatic Visas and Official Type-B Visas.
Cambodian Travellers holding either Cambodian or foreign passports shall:
- Undergo quarantine (in a designated facility) for 14 days;
- Not be required to deposit or purchase health insurance for COVID-19 treatment;
Expenses: Such travellers will not be responsible for any expenses incurred for meals and accommodation at the designated quarantine facility unless they request to be quarantined in a different facility (e.g.: another hotel).
We hope this Client Alert has been informative and will be helpful to you if you are planning or have planned to travel into Cambodia from 18 November 2020 onward.
For more information, please contact:
Matthew Rendall, Senior Partner, SokSiphana&associates (a member of ZICO Law)
matthew.rendall@zicolaw.com
