Cambodia: Authorities banning entry from several African countries as of Nov. 30 due to new COVID-19 variant /update 38

Event

Cambodia will indefinitely ban travelers from several African countries due to concerns over a new COVID-19 variant as of Nov. 30. The affected localities include Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The entry ban will affect travelers who have transited or traveled through the countries within the previous three weeks prior to arriving in Cambodia.

International Travel Restrictions
Authorities have lifted all quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated passengers entering Cambodia. The relaxation applies to people entering by air, land, or waterways. Vaccinated individuals must provide a negative COVID-19 test and take a rapid antigen test (RAT) upon arrival. Arrivals who are not fully vaccinated must take COVID-19 tests upon arrival and quarantine for 14 days.

Visa-on-arrival services remain suspended. Officials have resumed issuing tourist visas, e-visas, as well as exemptions for visas. Authorities allow online applications for short-term visas permitting stays of up to 30 days; however, only individuals traveling for demonstrated essential reasons may receive permission. Applicants for short-term travel visas must provide proof of medical insurance of at least USD 50,000, obtain a medical certificate clearing the individual of COVID-19 issued within 72 hours of travel, purchase a USD 90 health insurance package, and produce documentation demonstrating that the trip is for essential reasons. Inbound foreign nationals must pay a USD 2,000 deposit to cover potential COVID-19 related costs.

Officials are resuming additional flights between Cambodia and several locations gradually. Six airlines including Bangkok Airways (PG), Thai Smile Airways (WE), Thai Air Asia (FD), Philippines Airlines (PR), and Cathay Pacific Airways (CX) have applied to resume flights from December.

Domestic Restrictions
The government is allowing gatherings without a limit on attendance, though participants must follow social distancing measures. Officials have allowed most schools to reopen. Authorities are maintaining restrictions in Phnom Penh. Individuals must show vaccination cards to enter schools, malls, and businesses in the capital.

Provincial authorities may continue to enforce localized movement restrictions in high-risk areas. The central government allows local officials to impose curfews and designate red (high-risk), orange (intermediate-risk), and yellow zones (lower-risk). Officials may ban nonessential commercial travel and activity and impose curfews in red zones; orange and yellow zones have gradually more relaxed business and movement controls. Facemasks are mandatory in public areas.

Officials may restrict travel to and from areas where outbreaks occur for up to 14 days. Local authorities could introduce additional curfews and other localized restrictions at short notice. The government may impose tight border security measures in provinces like Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Kampong Cham, Oddar Meanchey, and Pailin to curb imported COVID-19 cases. Security personnel typically require entrants to undergo screening, take a COVID-19 test, and complete quarantine.

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.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Electronic Visa Application
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Forte Insurance