Cambodia reopens borders, scraps all COVID-19 testing

As per reports in the Khmer Times and Phnom Penh Post, Cambodia has become the first country in South East Asia to scrap all COVID-19 testing, effective immediately.

There will no longer be any pre-departure nor on-arrival testing, and fully vaccinated travellers will be able to enter the country without quarantine, just like pre-COVID days. It’s the biggest return to normal we’ve seen so far from an ASEAN country. 

Cambodia scraps all COVID-19 testing

Previously, travellers to Cambodia were required to take:

• a PCR test within 72 hours of arrival
• an ART on arrival

From 17 March 2022, both of these requirements have ceased. 

The Ministry of Health, acting on the instruction of the Prime Minister released a statement last night highlighting the abolishment of these two requirements.

Unfortunately, neither IATA’s Timatic system nor Singapore Airlines’ travel advisory page have been updated at the time of writing. If you’re flying to Cambodia in the next couple of days, out of an abundance of caution you may still want to take a pre-departure PCR test until either source is updated.

Cambodia has also announced that the visa on arrival scheme will be reinstated, applicable to all travellers arriving by air, land and sea. For what it’s worth, Singapore citizens do not need a visa to visit Cambodia. 

All travellers to Cambodia must carry a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing proof of full vaccination (a booster is not required). I can’t find a list of approved vaccines, but it’s safe to say that any vaccine on the WHO EUL will be fine.

It was previously reported that travellers to Cambodia were required to purchase COVID-19 medical insurance with a minimum coverage of US$50,000 (Forte Insurance is the recommended provider), but according to the MFA, this is now “not mandatory, but strongly encouraged”. 

Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travellers are still required to undergo a 14-day quarantine at their own expense, and purchase the aforementioned COVID-19 medical insurance.

Singapore-Cambodia travel: Total testing costs

Round-trip travellers from Singapore to Cambodia only need to do two COVID-19 tests, both of which are required by the Singapore side. 

An antigen test in Cambodia starts from US$30, so your total testing costs should be around S$45 per person.

VTL flights to Singapore

Travellers can take any flight they wish from Singapore to Cambodia, with non-stop service offered by Singapore Airlines to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. 

When returning from Cambodia to Singapore, they must take a designated VTL flight or else serve a 7-day SHN on return. The following Singapore Airlines and Jetstar Asia flights have been designated as VTL services from Cambodia

• From Phnom Penh
  • SQ153
  • SQ157 (from 1 April)
  • 3K592
  • 3K594
• From Siem Reap
  • SQ163
  • SQ165 (from 1 April)

Spontaneous Escapes

If you’re looking to redeem miles, do note that Siem Reap is currently available on Spontaneous Escapes, with Economy and Business Class awards going at 30% off. 

VTL travel to Singapore

✔️ VTL Eligibility Criteria
All	7-day travel history only includes Singapore and/or VTL countries and/or Category I countries and/or EEA countries Fully vaccinated with any vaccine on the WHO EUL^ Complete SG Arrival Card Present negative pre-departure ART/PCR test taken within 2 days of flight to Singapore* Take designated VTL flight to Singapore Take self-ART within 24 hours of arrival and report result
Short-term visitors & Work permit holders	Apply for Vaccinated Travel Pass Purchase travel insurance with min. S$30K coverage (short-term visitors only)
*Children aged 2 or under in the current calendar year are exempt ^Exception for children aged 12 and below, if they are accompanied by vaccinated traveller

VTL travellers to Singapore are required to take a pre-departure ART/PCR test within 2 days of departure to Singapore, as well as a designated VTL flight.

On arrival, they must perform a self-administered ART within 24 hours of arrival and report the result via a link provided on landing. 

Fully vaccinated individuals can be exempted from all pre-departure tests, on-arrival tests and the need to take a VTL flight to Singapore with acceptable proof of a COVID-19 infection/recovery within the last 90 days. 

Big news: No more SHN, testing or “14-day stranding” for recently-recovered vaccinated travellers to Singapore

Let’s keep in mind the VTL is already living on borrowed time, and it’s highly likely we’ll see a simplified system soon that’s based purely on vaccination status. Fingers crossed!

Conclusion

Cambodia has become the first country in South East Asia to scrap all testing requirements, and hopefully the first of many. This saves travellers the cost and inconvenience of a pre-departure PCR test, which really only makes sense if you’re aiming for COVID-zero. 

This dovetails nicely with the just-announced KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes, allowing you to fly to Siem Reap in Business Class just 15,050 miles each way (you’ll enjoy the new B737 MAX 8 Business Class seats too!). 

With Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia all opening their borders to visitors from all over the world, surely Singapore can’t be left behind?