PHNOM PENH: FOREIGNERS entering Cambodia will need to pay a US$3,000 deposit for "Covid-19 service charges" at the airport upon arrival, and have US$50,000 in travel insurance cover.
The Cambodian government said that upon arrival, travellers need to pay US$105 for transport to a testing centre and a Covid-19 test.
They will also need to pay for an overnight stay and meals at a quarantine centre while waiting for the results. Other charges include for laundry, medical surveillance and security services.
The government said the balance of the deposit would be returned if the passenger and others on their flight test negative.
They then need to self-isolate for 14 days after arrival in their chosen accommodation. They are also required to report daily to medical officers and a second Covid-19 test will be carried out on the 13th day.
Travellers will also need to pay for a health certificate to leave the country.
The charges apply to all travellers except those on diplomatic or official government business.
Authorities said those that tested positive and showed symptoms requiring hospital treatment would be taken to a government hospital and undergo up to four tests for Covid-19 costing US$100 each.
Should the person die, a funeral and cremation will cost US$1,500.
All these costs will also be automatically deducted from the deposit.
However, the government said that it would not charge Cambodians with foreign passports for laboratory testing and medical treatment. Foreign diplomats were allowed to self-quarantine upon arrival.
The Khmer Times reports that Cambodia's tourism and aviation have been gravely threatened by the new requirements imposed by the government.
It said the move might deter travellers from visiting the country, even though the fear of Covid-19 had eased.
Meanwhile, despite the new requirements and a prolonged suspension of tourist visas to foreigners, Cambodia Airports hopes to see more travellers back in the country.
Cambodia Airports communications and public relations director Khek Norinda said air traffic had remained largely tepid and only a few airlines had been operating with reduced frequencies since the pandemic started.
"Some airlines have considered restoring flights to Cambodia in the next three months pending better market conditions and countries easing travel and border restrictions," he said.
Norinda said while the company fully supported the government's policy to combat the spread of Covid-19, the deposit move might give the perception that visiting Cambodia was costly.
"In this very adverse situation, that's not the message one would want to convey when it is critical to attract leisure visitors back," he added.
Chea Aun, spokesman of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, said there were about 200 to 300 passengers entering Cambodia per day in early June.
He said after Cambodia lifted the ban on people from six countries, the number had seen an increase of between 200 and 300 passengers per day.
Cambodia's three international airports welcomed 11.6 million passengers last year, a 10.2 per cent increase from 2018.