PHNOM PENH (UCAN): Cambodia has dropped all testing for Covid-19 and reintroduced its pre-pandemic visa-on-arrival system in a bid to resuscitate its economy, especially sectors like tourism. The country’s prime minister, Hun Sen, said that easing the entry requirements for international travellers would attract investment, business and tourism.
“It will also reduce nose pain from taking the Covid-19 test,” he said. “Undergoing a Covid-19 test is costly as it requires test kits and personal protective equipment.”
However, all inbound passengers must still present a full Covid-19 vaccination certificate upon arrival. If not, then travellers must get vaccinated within 14 days at a location designated by the Ministry of Health.
Cambodia has so far vaccinated more than 92 per cent of its population. Nearly eight million people have received a third dose and more than 1.1 million have received a fourth shot. Recent Covid-19 case numbers have fallen to less than 150 a day, according to official data.
Hun Sen announced a reopening of the country in November, but restrictions remained as the Omicron variant of the disease—more contagious but less deadly—emerged.
Foreign investment has collapsed to a trickle and the pandemic to date is expected to cost around six million jobs in the informal economy, which analysts say accounts for about 80 per cent of Cambodia’s GDP, drawn from a population of 16.5 million people.
About US$1.2 billion [$9.38 billion] has been allocated to bolster the economy and the government has established a $200 million [$1.56 billion] reserve fund—its first ever—to directly help the impoverished.
“Testing is not just about having a runny nose, it costs money every day. The Royal Government spends a lot of money, including testing equipment, testing clothes,” Hun Sen said.
“We facilitate this to attract investment, business and tourism in Cambodia. These are the points where we continue to move forward with the goal of developing living with Covid-19.”
