PHNOM PENH, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Wednesday lifted a ban on foreign travelers from the United States, Iran, and four European countries after the kingdom has reported no new COVID-19 infections for more than a month.
Health Minister Mam Bunheng said in a statement that Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen approved the lifting of the ban on Tuesday.
The Southeast Asian country has imposed the ban on foreign visitors from the U.S., Iran, Italy, Germany, Spain and France since mid-March to stem the spread of the COVID-19.
The ban lifting came after the country has detected no new COVID-19 cases since April 12, and all 122 COVID-19 patients in the kingdom have recovered.
However, Bunheng said, entry restrictions for all foreigners to Cambodia remained in effect.
All travelers, both Cambodians and foreigners, wishing to travel to Cambodia must provide a health certificate issued by competent health authorities of their country within 72 hours, certifying that they are not tested positive for the COVID-19, he said.
Moreover, foreign travelers must provide proof of their insurance policy that shows minimum medical coverage during their intended stay in Cambodia in the amount not less than 50,000 U.S. dollars, he added.
The minister said the requirements for health certificate and insurance do not apply to any foreigner holding diplomatic visa (Visa A) or official visa (Visa B) of Cambodia.
He said all travelers, both Cambodians and foreigners, who travel to Cambodia will be transferred to waiting centers for COVID-19 lab tests and they must wait for their test results at those centers.
"If one or many of the passengers is tested positive for the COVID-19, the rest of the passengers (in the same group) will be quarantined for 14 days," Bunheng said.
He added that for travelers who have been tested negative for the virus, they will be required to quarantine at their homes for 14 days under the monitoring from local authorities and health officials, and they will be required to test for the virus again on the 13th day of the quarantine. Enditem
