• 07 August, 2020
• Posted by: EuroCham Cambodia

With the COVID-19 situation continuing to impact Cambodia, EuroCham will be regularly disseminating the official announcements from the Royal Government to ensure our network is updated as efficiently as possible. 

Due to the significant number of incoming announcements, we are unable to translate these in full so please refer to our summaries below and the attached official notices in Khmer.

Official Announcements: 31 July - 07 August

(English summaries provided by EuroCham Cambodia, subject to corrections by relevant authorities)

1. Ministry of Health Notification on Revision of Requirements for Foreign Travelers to Cambodia  

On 4 August, the Ministry of Health announced that the Royal Government of Cambodia will roll out the sponsorship mechanism to help foreign travelers who are investors, businesspersons, company staff, experts, skilled workers, technicians, and their family members. The business-linked travelers (who are sponsored) will not pay the cash deposit, but they nevertheless need to obtain a validation certificate on payment guarantee, a COVID-19 free health certificate (within 72 hours prior to departure), and a letter confirming an online hotel booking. The Chief Executive Officer or a major shareholder of companies must request an online sponsorship on www.registrationservices.gov.kh in order to validate the payment guarantee certificate for travellers. 

The foreign regular travelers will have to follow the announcement of the Ministry of Health on the service fee for medical examination, quarantine, and COVID-19 treatment at public hospitals. In addition, they are required to deposit USD 2,000 upon their arrival at airports and buy a health insurance package for COVID-19 treatment.   

 

2. Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for School Reopening in the Context of COVID-19 

On 4 August, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport released the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure the safety and well-being of students and educational staff at all levels. This Standard Operating Procedure is divided into four groups: legal framework development, infrastructure and school environment, stakeholder engagement, and methods of reporting suspicious cases. The classroom must not be below 24 degrees celsius, must be disinfected frequently in crowded places, classroom seats must be kept at least 2 meters apart and limited to 20 to 25 students per class.

3. Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts Information on the Reopening of Movie Theatres 

On 6 August, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts announced that the Royal Government of Cambodia will allow the reopening of movie theatres. This decision aims to mitigate the economic impact and instil hope in producers, businesspeople, and owners of the theatres. The theatres are required to follow a standard operating procedure (SOP) and other safety measures put in place by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. 

4. Cambodia Post Notification on Re-instating of Express Mail Service (EMS) during COVID-19 Period 

On 30 July, the Cambodia Post issued a notification to inform they will start accepting outbound international mail from 3 August 2020 for three destinations: Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America. The list of countries in each destination is attached to this notification. The user can access Cambodia Post’s mobile application named “Cambodia Post Track & Trace” to get important information related to fees, area codes, prohibited items, item tracking, and locations. 

5. Inter-Ministerial Committee to Combat COVID-19 Press Release on Revision of Health Measures for Diplomats and Officials of the International Organisations holding Cambodian Diplomatic Visas (Type A) and Official Visas (Type B)

On 5 August, the Inter-Ministerial Committee to Combat COVID-19 announced the revision of health measures for diplomats and officials of international organisations holding Cambodian diplomatic visas (type A) and official visas (type B). The diplomats and officials shall comply with the following requirements: 

1. Possess health certificates issued by health authorities which indicate COVID-19 negative within 72 hours before the departure. 
2. Undertake a COVID-19 test upon arrival in Cambodia. 
3. Wait for the test results for at least 24 hours at any hotels or accommodation and undertake a 14-day quarantine in those places if required for public health measures. 
4. The first and the 13th day test sample will be sent for testing at Pasteur Institute of Cambodia. 
5. In case of positive results, he/she shall be transferred to the Royal Phnom Penh Hospital or any hospital requested by the embassy with approval from the Ministry of Health. The expenses for treatment shall be covered by the individual diplomat, embassy, or international organisation. 
6. All foreign missions shall sign an MOU with the Ministry of Health on Standard Operating Procedure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Cambodia. 

The Royal Government of Cambodia has decided to waive the first and second testing fees for COVID-19 based on humanitarian principles, promoting cooperation and the fact that there are not too many visa type A and type B holders. 

6. Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training Notification on the Provision of Subsidised Allowances to Suspended Employees in the Garment and Tourism Sectors (Round 22)

On 31 July, the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training confirmed that 8,089 suspended employees from 46 enterprises and factories of the garment and tourism sectors will receive a message from Wing (Cambodia) Specialised Bank about their subsidised allowance. Employees can withdraw the allowance at any Wing branch by bringing along their Khmer ID card and phone number. No service fee is required for the withdrawal. 

7. Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training Notification on the Provision of Subsidised Allowances to Suspended Employees in the Garment Sector (Round 21) 

On 31 July, the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training confirmed that 7,279 suspended employees from 10 enterprises and factories of the garment sector will receive a message from Wing (Cambodia) Specialised Bank about their subsidised allowance. Employees can withdraw the allowance at any Wing branch by bringing along their Khmer ID card and phone number. No service fee is required for the withdrawal. 

8.  Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training Notification on the Provision of Subsidised Allowances to Suspended Employees in the Garment and Tourism Sectors (Round 20) 

On 31 July, the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training confirmed that 12,445 suspended employees from 79 enterprises and factories of the garment and tourism sectors will receive a message from Wing (Cambodia) Specialised Bank about their subsidised allowance. Employees can withdraw the allowance at any Wing branch by bringing along their Khmer ID card and phone number. No service fee is required for the withdrawal. 

9. Royal Government of Cambodia Sub-Decree on Allowance for Civil Servants during Pchum Ben Festival 

On 6 August, the Royal Government of Cambodia issued the Sub-Decree No. 123 to provide 50,000 Riels of allowance to each civil servant for the upcoming Pchum Ben Festival. The allowance will be added to the first of the two monthly salary instalments, in mid of September 2020.