The Government has received around $9 million in deposited cash from the 3,000 foreign travellers who had arrived in Cambodia as of June 30th after it imposed regulations which required foreign travellers to deposit cash to cover COVID-19 charge, said York Sambath, a Health Ministry’s secretary of state.
The cash is to cover COVID-19 related expenses such as tests, transportation, hotel service, meals, and other service for foreign travelers, Ms Sambath said. Upon arrival in Cambodia, all the foreign travellers must deposit their money (cash or credit card) in three designated bank’s counters located in the airports. The banks will also charge a service fee of $30 per person for the deposit.
“For now, we use the $3,000 deposit cash to cover the treatment and tests for the COVID-19 on all foreign travelers who come to Cambodia,” Ms Sambath said. If they test negative, they spend between $200 to $300 only and the rest of the money will be returned within five days. We are implementing this refund measure from July 3 ) onwards,” Sambath said.
“Previously, we returned the cash deposit cash after the 14 days quarantine, but now upon arrival in Cambodia, they (foreigners) have to deposit $3,000 cash or credit card for the COVID-19 cover charge. However, if they (foreigner) tested negative of COVID-19, the banks will return the remaining money to them within five days,” Sambath said.
As of July 2, Ministry of Health has tested 29,017 samples on the 20, 397 people at the Institute Pasteur du Cambodge, and another 10, 590 tests in National Institute of Public Health.
This article was first published in Khmer Times. All contents and images are copyright to their respective owners and sources.
