Cambodia: Government announce that they will temporarily ban all flights from Malaysia and Indonesia from August 1 /update 11

Event

On Saturday, July 25, Cambodian authorities stated that a temporary ban on all commercial flights from Malaysia and Indonesia will be in effect from Saturday, August 1, due to the number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases discovered in passengers returning from these countries. The ban on flights is aimed to curb the spread of the pandemic and will remain in place until the National COVID-19 Committee requests the resumption of the flights.

Foreign travelers are required to provide a certificate no more than 72 hours old confirming that they do not have COVID-19, in addition to proof of healthcare insurance of up to USD 50,000 when arriving into Cambodia. Individuals arriving will also be quarantined for 14 days after arrival at a government facility where they will be tested for the virus. On arrival, all foreign passengers are also required to deposit USD 3000 at the airport for mandatory COVID-19 testing and potential treatment services. 

As of Sunday, July 26, health authorities have recorded 225 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country and no associated deaths. Further international spread of the virus is expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized. 

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly, and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.