21 Mar 2021 | 09:39 PM UTC
Cambodia: Officials suspend schools and close some nonessential businesses from March 21 /update 22
Cambodia suspends schools and closes some nonessential businesses March 21 due to COVID-19. Quarantines for international arrivals continue.
Event
Cambodia has imposed nationwide school closures and suspended some nonessential business operations from March 21 in response to COVID-19 activity. Under the orders, schools, vocational training centers, cinemas, museums, and theaters are to remained closed until further notice. Authorities are maintaining a nationwide ban on nonessential gatherings. Several state agencies, such as the Ministry of Economy and Finance, continue to require most of their employees to telecommute. Authorities also encourage people to remain at home unless engaging in essential activities.
Stricter protocols are in place in some localities with high local COVID-19 activity. Strict entry and exit restrictions are in effect in Preah Sihanouk Province until further notice; exceptions are in place for ambulances and transport of goods, among others. Authorities may expand the controls to other localities at short notice, depending on changes in COVID-19 activity. Officials have called on residents to avoid nonessential travel to and from Phnom Penh. Authorities may expand domestic travel controls to additional locations at short notice, depending on changes in COVID-19 activity.
Travel Restrictions
Authorities allow online applications for short-term travel visas. Only people with essential reasons, such as working with a Cambodian entity, can apply for the visas, which are valid for three months and allow 30 days of stay. People who apply for short-term travel visas must provide proof of medical insurance coverage of at least USD 50,000, a medical certificate from local health authorities issued within 72 hours before travel stating the individual is free from COVID-19, and supporting documents as evidence of the essential travel reasons. Travelers must take COVID-19 tests upon arrival and quarantine for 14 days at a government-designated facility. Inbound foreign nationals must pay a USD 2,000 deposit to cover costs, including USD 100 for COVID-19 testing and USD 30 for a certificate stating that they are free from the virus, with limited exceptions.
The issuance of tourist visas, visa-on-arrival services, and visa-free travel remain suspended. Flights from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines remain banned.
Advice
Follow all official immigration and health screening instructions, particularly if traveling from affected locations. Abide by national health and safety measures. Allow additional time for immigration and health screenings at all ports of entry. Consider delaying travel if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays.
