Cambodia shortens quarantine period to attract foreign visitors

Illustrative image. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Phnom Penh (VNA) – The Cambodian government decided to shorten the quarantine period from October 18. However, the absence of regular commercial flights to Cambodia from the main tourist hubs and people traveling for business purposes is raising concerns about a lack of international visitors.

Many experts and travel agency representatives in Cambodia said that when the new normal state is applied, Cambodian authorities need to closely monitor "travel bubbles" with countries that Cambodia regularly receives a large number of flights to and from, both direct or transit.

Currently, flights from Malaysia to Cambodia have been banned since July 2020. This ban needs to be lifted so that regular flights are restored.

According to a statement released by the Cambodian Ministry of Health on October 16, foreign investors, technical experts, diplomats, and cooperation project managers and coordinators, as well as Cambodian officials returning from overseas missions will be required to undergo a three-day quarantine only, while general inbound passengers, both Cambodians and foreigners, will be quarantined for seven days.

However, travelers who have not received COVID-19 vaccine or not been fully vaccinated, will be required to go into a full 14-day quarantine, it said.

The statement added that foreign travelers still need to present a medical certificate for a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to their arrival in Cambodia, and they must carry a vaccination card or certificate indicating their full vaccination status and vaccination date./.

VNA