In combatting the spread of COVID-19 in Cambodia, the Royal Government of Cambodia ("RGC") first started to issue travel restrictions on a selective basis, targeting travellers coming from countries or region most hard-hit by COVID-19, which included the European countries, the United States of America and Iran. As the situation continues to worsen, the RGC has sought to impose travel restrictions on all inbound foreign travellers by requiring them to fulfil a set of conditions before they can be allowed to enter the country. These conditions include obtaining a health certificate within 72 hours upon arrival in Cambodia, securing travel insurance with a coverage of not less than USD50,000 and being placed under quarantine by the health officials of Cambodia.
In addition, the RGC has issued various measures aimed at alleviating the burden of local businesses and individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. These measures range from tax holidays for the aviation, tourism and garment industries, subsidies on allowances for suspended employees, exemptions from or deferment of certain monthly obligations. In addition to the above, the RGC has also advised financial institutions in the country to restructure their loan repayment with borrowers in the tourism, garment, construction, and transportation industry.
On 29 April 2020, the acting head of state has signed the Royal Kram No. NS/RK/0420/018 to promulgate the Law on State of Emergency, which is a new major legislation aimed at tackling head-on any possible serious outbreak of COVID-19 ("Law"). Given the current situation, this Law was promulgated on an urgent basis, which means that this Law can be implemented immediately from the date of the promulgation. The Law mainly provides for how and under what conditions the country can be placed under a state of emergency, and the measures that can be taken by the Government under such a condition. The Law does not specifically provide for or elaborate on the various obligations or restrictions to be imposed upon citizens or businesses. The only obligation imposed is to strictly comply with and not to breach any measure, order or action that the government will issue, failing which the errant citizen will be subject to imprisonment or fine or both. If the situation demands, the Law also allows for the country to be put under martial law.
