The Australian Government travel restrictions and return to Australia Quarantine/Self Isolate requirements have just killed my annual April visit to Cambodia for Khmer New Year and then, towards the end of the month, my annual attendance at the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Australian Embassy in Phnom Penh!

But more to the point, I will loose $100 in seeking a refund of my High Season airfare and it will take up to 30 days to receive in to my bank account or re- credited to the Credit Card on which it was charged to get the benefit of free Travel Medical and Evacuation Insurance.

Then there are the non-refundable expenses such as my prepaid trips using overland transport and the attendances at the Cambodian Circus, which amount to another $200 combined. Fortunately, hotels were not prepaid and by cancelling seven days in advance no financial penalty is incurred.

Such is life. But life goes on and assuming some form of normal returns to the international battle against Corona Virus, I look forward to returning in September and/or October.

OML

Ot Mean Loi wrote: ↑Tue Mar 17, 2020 4:18 pm The Australian Government travel restrictions and return to Australia Quarantine/Self Isolate requirements ...

Do you know if one is able to return to Australia to leave the following day if self-isolation procedures are adhered to?

Hello KfH,

I have no idea. The "Fine Print" terms and conditions (T and C's) seems to still be being made on the fly. I doubt if anyone knows the answer to your question at the moment. Ask the Aust Embassy Phnom Penh perhaps but don't hold your breath for an infallible answer.

I'm a bit peed off at the four Pare Circus A Reserve tickets being non-refundable but have no grounds for complaint about this as this is stated up front when booking on line. Although none of us foresaw Corona Virus consequences at time of booking. Presumable, Pare Circus will hide behind "Force Majure". Ditto for my nine overland bookings with BookMeBus/Cambodia Post. But such is life and life goes on. One just sucks it up and moves on.

OML

Nothing rumour wise about it fazur.

Please see: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50702722/p ... -pandemic/

OML

True enough Hanno in the global perspective.

But back to the individual with limited resources supporting many activities and individuals in Cambodia not insignificant.

OML

Because, phuketrichard, there were three Khmers from Kratie with critical date availability depending on me so that they could see the circus at Siem Reap.

All of this was so simple and straightforward pre-Corona Virus Travel and Assembly restrictions.

OML

Lifted from poverty by a Cambodian Cirque du Soleil, acrobats support 1,200 students through nightly shows
The performers in Phare, The Cambodian Circus, have broken the cycle of poverty, but the help they give others to do the same is at risk with its shows on hold
Every acrobat has a story to tell – of not having enough to eat selling snacks as a child, or of scavenging at a city dump and foiling their mother’s suicide
Ed Peters
Published: 7:15am, 9 Jun, 2020

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With a madcap show featuring uproarious acrobatics accompanied by raucous music, Phare could be described as Cambodia’s answer to Cirque du Soleil, and not long ago it was playing to packed houses in the town of Siem Reap night after night.
All the performers have a story to tell. Drawn from among the country’s beggars, orphans, victims of human trafficking, and drug addicts, they have developed skills and found new purpose in life. Phare has also been the prime source of funding for 1,200 students at an arts school – Phare Ponleu Selpak (PPS) – in the city of Battambang.

Early this year, however, the coronavirus pandemic struck and the Cambodian government put travel restrictions in place As tourist arrivals slowed to a trickle and then stopped altogether, the audiences stopped coming, and Phare found itself teetering.

“Tourism to Cambodia has vanished, which is devastating for people whose livelihood depends on it, says Khuon Chanreaksmey, deputy director of PPS.

“The PPS school receives over half its annual budget of US$100,000 from Phare circus. The circus depends on visitors to Cambodia. The longer this continues, the harder it becomes for the circus to cover costs, pay salaries and support the school.”
https://www.scmp.com/print/lifestyle/tr ... obats-find