Phnom Penh (VNA) - The Cambodian Ministry ofEconomy and Finance and Ministry of Health have collaborated with localinsurance companies to issue the 50,000 insurance certificate required forforeign travellers, according to the Khmer Times.

The collaboration came after the Cambodian government realisedit was difficult to claim the money from foreign insurance companies for themedical treatment and testing fees when a foreign traveller tested positive forthe coronavirus and needed hospital treatment in Cambodia.

Speaking at a news conference,  Youk Sambath, a HealthMinistry secretary of state, said the Cambodian government has cooperated with 10local insurance companies and the service will be available soon for the publicand foreigners.

“At the moment, we are asking foreign travellers who visitCambodia to deposit 3,000 USD to cover a COVID-19 service charge. If they testpositive, we will use this deposited money to pay for the hospital,transportation, hotel fee, medical care, meals, test, and laundry otherservices,” she added.

If they tested negative for SARS-CoV-2, they will spend only 200 USD to 300 USD,and the rest of the deposit money will be returned to the depositors within thenext five days, she added.

According to Sambath, the government has received around 9million USD deposited cash from the 3,000 foreign travellers who came toCambodia from May 21 to June 30.

Youk Chamroeunrith, Forte Insurance managing director, said the COVID-19insurance product has already been prepared by Forte. His company will workwith the government. The insurance product will cover 50,000 USD when aforeigner visits Cambodia.

“Our product is now online, and the premium is 90 USD for 20days,” Chamroeunrith said.

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on Cambodia’s tourism industry,with nearly 3,000 tourism and tourism-related businesses closing and more than45,000 workers losing jobs as of May.

Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism forecast that the local tourism industry willlose 3 billion USD this year./.