Ministry of Health officials said there would be no payment required for the rapid Covid-19 tests given to travellers who arrive in Cambodia from November 15 onwards after the quarantine requirement is lifted for fully vaccinated people.

Health ministry spokeswoman Or Vandine told The Post on November 15 that there is no payment required for the Covid-19 rapid test given to all arrivals through all ports of entry.

Thong Sophat, deputy director of Phnom Penh International Airport, confirmed this policy, telling The Post on November 15 that there is no directive requiring payment for the tests by travellers in any category, whether they are Cambodian or foreign nationals.

“We will do the rapid tests for them free of charge for now, but I am not sure in the future,” Sophat said.

Health minister Mam Bun Heng on November 14 issued an announcement on the lifting of all quarantine requirements following the decision by Prime Minister Hun Sen to do so starting November 15.

Bun Heng said all inbound travellers still need to have a health certificate showing that they have tested negative for Covid-19 in the 72 hours before their arrival in Cambodia.

Unvaccinated travellers will need to take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on arrival and undergo 14-day quarantine.

All people who were in quarantine at their homes, hotels and quarantine centres across the country that tested negative for Covid-19 were allowed to leave quarantine on November 15.

Hun Many – head of the National Assembly’s commission on education, youth, sport, religious affairs, culture and tourism – applauded the decision to reopen the country and waive the quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated travellers.

“From today, Cambodia is taking another step forward to welcome investors, diplomats and visitors … without quarantine. This is a proud result of our efforts,” he said on November 15.