Cambodia announces phased reopening to vaccinated tourists | Travel

The Cambodian government on Tuesday announced plans to reopen the country in several stages to fully vaccinate foreign tourists from the end of next month.

The program, which began on Nov. 30, will allow tourists who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus to be exempt from quarantine after spending at least five days in designated areas, the Ministry of Tourism announced.

The first such areas are the two coastal provinces on the Gulf of Thailand, Sihanoukville and Koh Kong provinces.

Upon arrival, visitors must show proof of vaccination and undergo a rapid-result Covid-19 test. If the result is negative, they can proceed without isolation.

Siem Reap, home to the famous Angkor Wat, will be added to the list of provinces exempted from quarantine in January.

If the plan is deemed successful, other destinations will be added, with the entire country opening up when the coronavirus is deemed to be under control.

Before the pandemic, Cambodia hosted 6.6 million foreigners in 2019, earning nearly $5 billion, most of whom visited Angkor and seaside destinations, according to the tourism ministry.

In 2020, visitor numbers plummeted to 1.3 million, and revenue from them plummeted to about $1 billion.

Cambodia recorded 112 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday, the lowest number since April and bringing the total since the pandemic began last year to 118,000.

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