Quarantine in Cambodia: French people testify
Since November 2020, coming to Cambodia is synonymous with 14 days of isolation. Carried out in a hotel chosen by the government, the quarantine can worry newcomers. Lepetitjournal takes stock of its practice seven months after its establishment.
While the Covid had not yet affected the country, on November 18, 2020 Cambodia implemented a mandatory fortnight for all those traveling to the Kingdom, hoping to be able to contain it.
Spending a minimum of fourteen days locked up in a hotel room, in an unknown country for some on the other side of the world is not trivial, and many dread this ordeal.
It must be understood that for the moment (apart from the diplomats who have recently enjoyed a special status) the newcomer has no choice of hotel. He simply follows the group he arrived with.
The quality of the services varies of course from one establishment to another. lepetitjournal.com brings you testimonials from French people who have lived forty in Cambodia.
A fortnight at the Sokha Phnom Penh or at the Courtyard by Marriott
Since July 23, incoming travelers can now choose to spend their fortnight either at the Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel & Residence, or at the Courtyard by Marriott Phnom Penh.
To do this, they will simply have to prove that they have reserved their room there.
The rest of the formalities remain identical to the ordinary traveler: valid visa issued by the Cambodian embassy or by the Cambodian consulate of the country concerned, a health certificate issued by the health authority recognized by the government within 72 hours prior to departure and a certificate of subscription to the health insurance required for foreign travelers for the treatment of COVID-19, showing a certified copy.
The passenger must still deposit $ 2,000 deposit which will be refunded.
As this measure is very recent, we were unable to interview travelers who had stayed in these hotels.
How to anticipate your quarantine well?
The first thing to do is of course to prepare for any eventuality during your trip to arrive calmly at your place of quarantine. The entry conditions are extremely strict, so you must have all the documents in color, that is to say, the covid test, the doctor's certificate and the FORTE Covid insurance. Contrary to what some forums claim, some airlines require you to have the $2,000 cash deposit before you depart.
Camille J. flew in January with Korean Airline:
All newcomers are struck by the lack of information from leaving France to leaving the quarantine hotel.
Nevertheless, many Facebook groups are available to expatriates and many testimonials are available.
“The best thing is to find out as much as possible before you arrive. Even though we have little information and experiences vary from person to person, this allowed me to alleviate some anxieties, says Nicolas D. However, even when we arrive it is difficult to get information since all the airport and hotel employees do not speak English. »
The fortnight in Cambodia: an anxiety-provoking environment?
It is strictly forbidden to leave your room. It is therefore a particularly difficult ordeal for those who do not like to live in seclusion.
Some who could not open the window to ventilate preferred to smoke in the toilets as in their high school years.
It is especially the lack of information that is extremely confusing and certain situations can become anxiety-provoking.
Camille J., who arrived in February, was forced to stay three additional days following the positive test of her roommate.
Having a fortnight with a baby
If managing your own quarantine is still feasible, taking care of that of a baby or a child is all the more nerve-wracking.
Mélissandre arrived with her husband and 3-month-old daughter in quarantine in February. She advises preparing for any eventuality before traveling with a baby. For her part, her daughter's suitcase consisted only of the things necessary for the quarantine and the rest had been delivered by post to friends in Phnom Penh. She had also asked them to deliver Kulen water, rich in magnesium, and powdered baby milk. However, some hotels do not accept deliveries from outside.
She therefore advises to provide medication in liquid and suppository form.
Meals: the anxiety of the French
The greatest anxiety of the French arriving in the fortnight, and anywhere else, is of course the management of meals. Once again the quality of the food varies greatly depending on the hotel. However, it is this one that has often been the most difficult test to live through. Some hotels impose the menu and meals three times a day. In others, you will have the chance to choose the number of meals you want to eat but also your menu, from a selection of ten dishes. The testimonials are very diverse within the same hotel, the confinement greatly affecting the mood and the ability to adapt to new flavors.
In hotels imposing three meals a day, meals are often delivered early, around 7 a.m., in plastic trays.
“The meals were extremely monotonous. We had meats far too often unidentified. Especially since on arrival, we didn't know Cambodian eating habits at all. Having chicken for breakfast was quite special, says Alexis H., who arrived in January. Luckily I had brought a few packets of cakes, Beaufort and sausage. »
Some hotels may offer other dishes. Do not hesitate to ask. Sometimes it's possible, other times it's not.
Meal delivery services during the fortnight
Finally, there are very efficient food delivery services such as Food Panda or Nham 24 which can offer you all the gastronomic variety of Phnom Penh. As many travelers have contacted us with communication problems, we advise you to approach your reception before starting to order outside food.
Make the most of your quarantine in Cambodia
In order to best live her 14 days of confinement, Margaux M., who arrived in Phnom Penh in March, advises to impose a rhythm:
“We woke up at regular times. We ate at fixed times and did a little sport. On the other hand, it was very difficult to concentrate. Reading or watching a movie took our energy and we had lost all motivation. »
Alexandre H., who arrived in May, took the opportunity to take Khmer lessons and begin to immerse himself in the country's culture.
“I also asked my internship supervisor to give me small tasks to start immersing myself in the company. I quickly imposed on myself the schedules that I would have when I left quarantine in order to adapt to the country as quickly as possible. »
All hotels have the advantage of having a correct internet connection, it is essential to bring your computer in order to start working. You can also take the opportunity to take online training.
The internet is full of ideas. TV5monde plus offers free French films online. Youtube is full of training and entertainment. Why not learn a few rudiments of Khmer there? We invite all those who would like to improve their skills in metaphysics and philosophy of knowledge or in the chemistry of biological processes to take a look at the Collège de France site, which offers courses on very varied subjects. Please note, for legal reasons, you cannot watch French channels in Cambodia without going through a VPN.
Hygiene in quarantine
Moreover, in most hotels, there is no cleaning service during the 14 days.
Again, we advise you to ask. You won't get someone to clean your room - it's against the very concept of quarantine - but you will get clean sheets and towels. Hotels usually also have a laundry service.
Coming out of quarantine in Cambodia: the price and the final word
Quarantine costs between $1,300 and $2,000 per person depending on the hotel: it is not because a room is shared that the price will be. So spending quarantine as a couple with a child will simply cost three times the price of a single person.
While some have very bad memories of confinement, most told us that it was quickly becoming a distant memory.
“I quickly forgot the fortnight. In a few days, we had already found our apartment and our motorcycles, our life in Phnom Penh started as soon as we left," says Alexandre H.
As you will have understood, the fortnights vary greatly from one to another. The important thing is to prepare as well as possible for the 14 days of confinement by setting activities, knowing that depending on the result of your Covid test on the 13th day, the quarantine may be extended by a few days.
