Cambodia hasn’t been hit hard by COVID-19. While testing in the country is limited, their experience is similar to Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam. The country has seen just 126 confirmed cases, and only 4 confirmed cases since April 12, however one of those confirmed tests came back June 7.
In some ways that’s surprising, with Cambodia’s Prime Minister ingratiating himself to China before the virus was under control there, seeking to visit Wuhan and mocking journalists for wearing masks.
Tourism is one of the country’s major industries, with people flocking to Siem Reap to visit temples including Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. The country is anxious to re-open but nervous about importing the virus. So they’ve developed a comprehensive plan to make tourism so painful that no one would possibly want to visit.
- Required testing within 72 hours of flight departure to Cambodia plus proof of $50,000 health coverage
- Deposit $3000 on arrival, paid at the airport on arrival
- Busing from the airport to a “waiting centre” ($5)
- COVID-19 test on arrival ($100)
- Stay for a day at the waiting centre or hotel pending test results ($30)
- Three meals during wait ($30)
Then if anyone on your flight tests positive everyone on the flight gets quarantined for 14 days.
- 14 days stay “in a hotel or quarantine facility, meals, laundry, sanitary services, doctors and security services.” ($84/day = $1176)
- Another COVID-19 test ($100)
Then if you actually test positive:
- Additional COVID-19 tests ($100 each, up to four tests)
- Hospital stay ($225 per day) “for the hospital room, medical treatment, meals, laundry and sanitary services.”
If you die, they require that you’re cremated. And that’s $1500.
At the start of the pandemic Cambodia’s Prime Minister said “all patients, regardless of their nationalities, who test positive for the new coronavirus in Cambodia are entitled to have free medical treatment. ‘We are poor, but our heart is big’.”
Their new motto is a la carte pricing. A user pays model is one thing, but does the bus to the testing center really need to be charged $5 separately, rather than charging $105 for the test?
The good news is that they’ll accept a credit card for the $3000 deposit, and refund the available balance back if you (and everyone else on your flight) tests negative for the virus.
(HT: One Mile at a Time)
sounds like a profitable ( for some) plan
Moneymaking scheme! Covid tests @ $100- a pop? Recently read an article in the financial pages that the wholesale cost per swab kit is apps 48 cents.
At least the $225/day hospital stay is dirt cheap compared to American standards… 🙂
The only people who could even consider it are those who are moving there or making a long term visit; for example, for work or family reasons. Tourism is a non-starter with this kind of system.
I think I’ll wait to return. 🙂
Most of the money made goes into the Prime Minister and his friend’s pockets. From what I remember all the entrance fees to the wats are owned and managed by one company and guess who owns that company…..
Most of the tourist are those who budget their travelling costs, I don’t think anyone with reasonable sense would be willing to visit Cambodia with such restriction just to see those temples. After all there are several countries who will welcome tourists with much less restriction, e.g. Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia etc.etc. I wouldn’t even dream of visiting Cambodia with such restriction though I had the intention. Tourism is the most source of revenues for most countries at present, they will be the losers.
The article that you based your’s on was incorrect. These measures are not being implemented. Please do a bit of research, and check your sources.
At min loy….
Nobody will come…
Let’s just stay at home and be safe. You can spend $3000 on other interesting things.
@Jack. https://kh.usembassy.gov/new-cambodia-entry-requirements-and-covid-19-update/. Its amazing you found this website since you don’t know how to use the internet.
@Jack this is what the embassy says: https://kh.usembassy.gov/new-cambodia-entry-requirements-and-covid-19-update/
Reminds me of Mar-A-Lago charging the Secret Service double for a room so the agents can guard our Great War General “Ole Bone Spurs” chump. Hun Sen and chump, two of a kind.
I’m a Cambodian-American, there is no way in hell that I will go there.
If that for real, Cambodian going to be very lonely country in the world.
Pass. Just another cesspit looking to fund its junta.
I love Cambodia but will give it a hard pass under these terms, although the $225 a night for the hospital stay and $1500 for subsequent cremation are prices I can live with.
All they do is copying the Thais.
Both will lift all such measures once the Chinese hordes will be ready to come back.
No way a Chinese tourist would deposit $3000, not even $30.
Mark my words.
this makes my day!
As a Cambodian I do apologize for their ignorance! They are all about money and this is not right! But good luck Cambodia I’m pretty sure ppl aren’t that desperate to see the country anyways! There’s so many other beautiful countries to see before Cambodia!
I’m planning on a future move to Cambodia, after having visited there three years ago, Siem Reap , and was planning to check out Phonm Phenn on another visit soon; with this mess in place no way am I going to pay ridiculous costs as it seems like a money making scheme to me! Temperature tests/screenings and perhaps paying for a Covid test is ok at a small cost but this is just ridiculous! When no tourism and no money comes in, then they will have to re consider! Hopefully this is over soon