Cambodia to demand $3,000 deposit from expat arrivals

It’s bad news time for expats looking to Cambodia as their new home from home.

Expats in Southeast Asia who’re investigating a transfer to Cambodia might well prefer to think again. The Cambodian government’s shock announcement that both foreigners and locals arriving in the country will be forced to pay out a deposit of $3,000 to cover coronavirus quarantine costs and tests has left expats wondering whether the virus has as yet unknown effects on the human brain! The new wheeze seems to be part of a prevention effort as regards a second wave of infection, with all arrivals forced to pay the amount demanded by either cash or credit card.

Passengers who’ve tested negative will, it’s promised, just be charged for the test itself and will have the remainder of the $3,000 reimbursed, although when and how has not yet been stated. Charges as a whole start with $5 for transportation between the airport and the testing centre, the covid-19 test itself at $100, and the day’s stay whilst waiting for a test result at a hotel or government centre will cost $30 plus another $30 for three full meals. Should any passenger’s test be positive, everyone on the flight must be quarantined for two weeks, either at a hotel or a Cambodian quarantine centre.

The daily cost for either will be $84. Costs rise for those unfortunates who’ve tested positive, with $225 daily including medical treatment, hospital accommodation, meals and all extras. For the very unlucky, cremation will cost $1,500. It would seem the above might well be a strategy to ensure foreign travellers and expat choose another destination, but the March statement by PM Hun Sen that all those found to be infected would be treated free of charge seems to have been thrown in the bin in favour of financial advantage.