What's the government response timeline for Cambodia?

"On March 7, Prime Minister Hun Sen declared the cancellation of festival celebrations in Siem Reap province due to mounting Covid-19 concerns." https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/1880120/cambodia-new-year-celebrations-face-cancellations (not archivable)

"Cruise ships are banned from docking. This was accompanied by subsequent bans on nationals from affected countries." https://cambodianess.com/article/cruise-ships-coming-from-vietnam-on-the-mekong-river-can-no-longer-enter-the-country

"The Svay Rieng administration hall has officially announced the cancellation of the Angkor Sankranta Festival, a four-day celebration of the Khmer New Year held in April, as Covid-19 fears mount in the kingdom." https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/1880120/cambodia-new-year-celebrations-face-cancellations (link not archivable)

Testing is in place https://www.who.int/cambodia/news/detail/12-05-2020-who-works-closely-with-the-royal-government-of-cambodia-in-the-fight-against-covid-19

WHO and technical partners including the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Pasteur Institute in Cambodia, have been working together to support the MoH to trace and manage these contacts around the clock. The surveillance system has adjusted its strategy to conduct “hotspot hunting”, a modified contact tracing approach to focus on high-risk locations where there may be other cases. This has been initiated in neighbourhoods in Phnom Penh, among Cambodian migrant workers returning from Thailand and in the workplaces and residences of garment factory workers. In higher risk settings, mobile units are being set up on site to allow for quick and convenient testing without the need to travel to health facilities. The MoH, with support of WHO and partners, continues to trace all contacts of any confirmed cases and to quarantine them for 14 days to prevent further spread of the virus. https://www.who.int/cambodia/news/detail/12-05-2020-who-works-closely-with-the-royal-government-of-cambodia-in-the-fight-against-covid-19

Karaoke clubs and cinemas closed https://www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2020/03/17/cambodia-closes-karaoke-clubs-cinemas-to-curb-outbreak

The government did not establish a number for gatherings but an official recommended gatherings do not exceed 10 people. Similarly, all religious gatherings were banned. The government urged people on May 16th not to gather in large groups but still did not specify a number. https://www.khmertimeskh.com/702722/pm-bans-all-religious-gatherings-in-wake-of-covid-19-pandemic/ (link not archivable) https://vodenglish.news/police-to-prevent-large-new-year-gatherings-to-limit-virus-spread/ https://desktop.gulf-times.com/story/663311/Cambodia-says-all-Covid-19-patients-recovered-no-n (link not archivable) f

MOH in cooperation with Unicef is distributing posters and billboards, there are radio and TV announcements, and until recently MOH was issuing text messages to mobile phones recommending safety steps (haven’t seen any for about 10 days now). For the materials funded by Unicef see: https://www.unicef.org/cambodia/ and click on ‘communication materials’ at top of page.

"The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), the government agency in-charge of sports in Cambodia, first imposed the ban on April 7 as a means to stem the spread of the coronavirus. The ban covered all sports activities and gatherings in both public and private spaces." https://www.khmertimeskh.com/722210/cambodia-sports-ban-still-in-force/ (link not archivable)

On Wednesday, April 8, the government announced that all individuals entering the country, including migrant workers, will be quarantined for 14 days in designated facilities to prevent further spread of COVID-19 in the country. https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/331486/cambodia-inter-district-travel-ban-within-provinces-lifted-on-april-10-update-7

Changed from 1 and 2 as measures references were relevant to corporations, not households: See: https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19 https://www.dfdl.com/resources/legal-and-tax-updates/covid-19-in-cambodia-actions-by-the-cambodian-government-and-the-nbc-to-ease-burdens-on-affected-banks-mfis-and-borrowers/ Several new tax reliefs announced on May 28th to be implemented from June, including: - Enterprises operating registered hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and travel agency companies in Phnom Penh city, Siem Reap, Sihanouk, Kep and Kampot provinces, and Bavet and Poi Pet cities, shall be further exempted from payment of all kinds of monthly taxes for the taxable months of June and July 2020. - Airline companies registered in Cambodia and still operating, shall receive a further exemption of Minimum Tax (MT) for the two months of June and July 2020. - Reduction of the Withholding Tax from loans Source: https://home.kpmg/content/dam/kpmg/kh/pdf/technical-update/2020/tu-further-government-tax-reliefs-tax-update-kpmg-cambodia.pdf

"On Friday, April 10, the Cambodian government cancelled an inter-district travel ban within provinces which was earlier implemented on Thursday, April 9, to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Additionally, the travel restriction between Phnom Penh and Kandal province was also lifted. An earlier ban for travel across all other provincial borders announced by Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday, April 9, will remain in place until Thursday, April 16. " https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/331486/cambodia-inter-district-travel-ban-within-provinces-lifted-on-april-10-update-7

The government implemented an inter-district travel ban from April 9th to April 16th /web/20200603120705/ https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/331486/cambodia-inter-district-travel-ban-within-provinces-lifted-on-april-10-update-7

Article indicates that patients must have both symptoms and recent travel history to be tested. https://www.voanews.com/covid-19-pandemic/cambodia-rural-clinics-adopt-travel-based-covid-19-test-strategy

"In Cambodia, for garment workers, the government pays US$ 40 and employers are mandated to pay an additional US$30."; " a one-off wage subsidy was provided to enterprises and workers in the exportoriented textile and garment industry." (policy started before, but can't find exact start date) https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19 https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_protect/---protrav/---travail/documents/publication/wcms_745666.pdf

Sports events resume, although without spectators and not exceeding 100 people present https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50728909/sports-activities-slowly-resume-in-the-kingdom/ (lnik not archivable)

Beginning today, sports activities will be allowed sans spectators and on the condition that there will no more than 100 people present. Hugging and shaking of hands are also not allowed. http://archive.vn/oxlH1

Closure of entertainment establishment persists. Source: http://archive.fo/8WnEt http://archive.fo/Y5sc9

No reports of stay at home requirements were found.

Under the Kingdom’s health measures, all travelers, both Cambodians and foreigners, who travel to Cambodia will be transferred from airports to waiting centres where COVID-19 swab tests are done. They are required to remain at the in quarantine centres until the test results are released. Upon arrival, all foreign passengers are required to deposit $3,000 at the airport to pay for the virus prevention services (those who test negative for the virus will only be charged the fees for the test and will be given back the remainder of their deposit). Those that test positive will be quarantined for 14 days, together with everyone in their flight. Source: https://www.embassyofcambodiadc.org/embassy-updates/notice-no-331-ssca-of-the-state-secretariat-of-civil-aviation-26-june-2020-regarding-the-revision-of-measures-for-prevention-containment-and-response-to-covid-19-for-inbound-travelers

On June 24 2020, a cash handout programme is to provide $20 to rural families, $30 to urban families, $10 to live-in parents over the age of 60. The cash handouts will also be given to the disabled and citizens with HIV. https://apnews.com/ca47d4dee81894783f463ea977aae689

Lift the requirement for the Health Insurance and medical deposit of 3,000 USD (Three thousand US Dollars) for Cambodian foreign passport holder with visa K. Source: https://www.embassyofcambodiadc.org/embassy-updates/notice-no-331-ssca-of-the-state-secretariat-of-civil-aviation-26-june-2020-regarding-the-revision-of-measures-for-prevention-containment-and-response-to-covid-19-for-inbound-travelers

On 8 July 2020, NagaWorld casino has been allowed to reopen in Cambodia ahead of reopening venues across the country, provided they meet required health and safety guidelines. Closures of shopping malls and other entertainment venues continue. https://english.cambodiadaily.com/business/nagaworld-casino-reopens-doors-on-july-8-vip-tables-and-slots-available-for-guests-166407/

On July 21 2020, a further 50,000 poor households have been identified as part of the government's cash handout programme. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-07/21/c_139229272.htm

On 22 July 2020, the Cambodian Government will waive the $50,000 travel insurance and $3000 deposit for international travellers, although the 72 hour pre-travel Covid-19 health certificate, Covid-19 test on arrival and 14 day self-quarantine will still be required. www.khmertimeskh.com/50747552/cambodian-government-agrees-in-principle-to-waive-50000-insurance-policy-and-3000-deposit-for-incoming-travelers/ (link doesn't archvie)

Still current: https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse

All foreign nationals must possess a health certification and health insurance documents. All individuals that enter must quarantine for 14 days after entry. http://archive.vn/paURG

Schools still closed nation wide, though list of 20 private schools in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Battambang are allowed to reopen as part of phase one of gradually reopening schools. http://archive.vn/NOLEG http://archive.vn/qgLgI http://archive.vn/0LUEZ

Ministry spokesman Ros Soveachea said, “MoEYS has reconsidered and agreed with the Ministry of Health on COVID-19 testing for the 20 education institutions for the Schools Re-opening Phase One, as approved by Prime Minister Hun Sen. “If students, their parents, or staff members of the 20 education institutions have returned from an oversea trip before early June, or have not travelled outside of Cambodia, they do not need to undergo a COVID-19 test,” he said. http://archive.vn/zBbqL

The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts (MCFA) announced on 6 August that Cambodia decided to allow all cinemas and arts performing venues across the kingdom to reopen following the temporary shutdown in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the owners must apply for a reopening license and sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the MCFA on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at their establishments. Therefore, new measures will need to be observed by cinema operators and movie goers alike, including adhering to social distancing markers throughout the venues, a limit on capacity in theatres, temperature checks at entrances, sanitising stations, safety masks and safety screens between ticket sellers and customers. Source: -Khmer Times, "Kingdom’s cinemas to reopen" http://archive.vn/vinbZ -Xinhua, "Cambodia allows cinemas, arts performing venues to reopen after COVID-19 brought under control" http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-08/06/c_139270822.htm Most but not all businesses have reopened in Cambodia. Indeed, some hotels remain closed, a large number of shops, restaurants and bars are now open but nightclubs remain closed, and so do leisure facilities such as gyms. Source: -UK Embassy website, Foreign travel advice on Cambodia https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cambodia/coronavirus

Public transports are open. However mention was found of a now-lifted temporary closure, by the Phnom Penh Municipal Administration on 26 March, of public city bus and water-taxi service linking the northern part of Phnom Penh to Takhmao city in Kandal province via the Mekong River. Source: Khmer Times, "City bus, water taxi services shut down to prevent spread of coronavirus" http://archive.vn/DemzL

On 1 August, the government banned flights from Malaysia and Indonesia, since double digit cases of COVID-19 were detected in flights from these countries. Source: Khmer Times, "Cambodia to ban flights from the Philippines amid rising COVID-19 cases". Even though the article's main topic is a later ban on flights from the Philippines, it mentions the ban on flights from Malayasia and Indonesia. http://archive.vn/Mr4ph

As of 3 August, according to the WHO, a broad testing strategy is being implemented nationwide in Cambodia, including testing of all suspect cases meeting case definition, active surveillance for pneumonia cases in hospitals, testing at POEs at day 1 and day 13 of 14-day quarantine and testing ILI and SARI samples from sentinel sites for COVID-19. Hot-spot surveillance strategies and targeted testing of high-risk populations are also being implemented as necessary. Moreover the Ministry of Health plans to expand and decentralize laboratory testing capacity for COVID-19 using GeneXpert technology at three provincial laboratories: Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and Battambang. Source: WHO, Cambodia Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report #5 (pp. 1 & 6) https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/wpro---documents/countries/cambodia/covid-19/covid-19-joint-who-moh-sitrep-05.pdf?sfvrsn=845addf3_2

The government said that it will cancel a three-day water festival scheduled to take place in late October in an effort to stem the spread of COVID-19. In a letter dated August 11 and sent to Kong Sam Ol, Royal Palace Minister and chairman of the National Committee for Organising National and International Festivals (NCONIF), Hing Thoraksy, permanent Secretary of state at the Council of Ministers, said: “The government has approved the cancellation of the water festival in 2020.” The cancellation was made following the request by the NCONIF, according to the letter. Source: Khmer Times, "Gov’t cancels water festival amid COVID-19 pandemic" http://archive.vn/IppVa

The government decided to temporarily ban all flights from the Philippines as of 11 August in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. The decision came after 13 Chinese nationals were tested positive for COVID-19 on 10 August after taking flights from the Philippines. Source: Khmer Times, "Cambodia to ban flights from the Philippines amid rising COVID-19 cases" http://archive.vn/Mr4ph

On 13 August, the Ministry of Health issued guidelines to the public on "What Should You Do during Self-quarantine in order to Prevent COVID-19". The MoH notably reminded people that: “You’re only allowed to end your home quarantine if you have complied with the isolation measures for 14 days and you do not exhibit any symptoms during this period”. Source: Khmer Times, "Ministry of Health: What Should You Do during Self-quarantine in order to Prevent COVID-19" http://archive.vn/cgaJ8

Cambodia will have more laboratories to test for COVID-19 in major provinces of the Kingdom, such as Sihanoukville, Siem Reap and Battambang, Prime Minister Hun Sen pledged during a Council of Ministers meeting on 14 August. The PM added that the Ministry of Health has to put in more effort to establish COVID-19-testing facilities in other provinces on top of the laboratory centre in Phnom Penh. Source : Khmer Times, "Cambodia to set up more labs for COVID-19 tests" http://archive.vn/mZanz

On 16 August, the Ministry of Health urged people not to organize big parties during the Khmer New Year holiday (17-21 August). Gatherings or excursions should only include the family and take place in separate, well-ventilated locations, the ministry’s release read. Source: Cambodianess, "The Ministry of Health Reports Recoveries from COVID-19 and No New Case" https://cambodianess.com/article/the-ministry-of-health-reports-recoveries-from-covid-19-and-no-new-case

The Ministry of Tourism on 20 August renewed its appeal to all owners and managers of tourism businesses on land or water throughout the country to keep on implementing all measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as people travel during the Khmer New Year holiday (17-21 August). These measures include taking staff and visitors’ temperature as they enter or leave a location, having hand disinfectant for staff and visitors to use frequently, wearing masks, having people maintain the required distance from each other, and making sure that bathrooms and other facilities used by visitors are frequently cleaned. Source: Cambodianess, "The Ministry of Tourism Reminds Businesses to Remain Vigilant with COVID-19 Measures" https://cambodianess.com/article/the-ministry-of-tourism-remains-businesses-to-remain-vigilant-with-covid-19-measures

On 22 August, Prime Minister Hun Sen Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu agreed to restore connectivity with Japan as both countries reopen, although while maintaining measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Source: Cambodianess, "Cambodia Agrees to Resume Flights and Physical Communication with Japan" Link: http://archive.vn/m7gdx