This story was up to date on Monday, December 27.
Just 7 weeks after introducing (almost) quarantine-free re-entry into Thailand, the Thai authorities introduced it’s suspending registration for the Test & Go quarantine exemption scheme in addition to the “Sandbox” scheme, aside from the Phuket Sandbox. Those who have registered, and been approved, under the Thailand Pass system can nonetheless enter the country underneath Test & Go or the Sandbox scheme.
The new guidelines have been posted within the Royal Gazette, making it official. The determination was made as a end result of growing variety of Omicron circumstances involving travellers entering Thailand from abroad, in accordance with the deputy spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Natapanu Nopakun, talking throughout a press briefing on the Covid-19 state of affairs.
Natapanu cited a latest World Health Organisation report saying the Omicron variant is spreading much faster than the Delta variant. He added that closing Thailand Pass registration is intended to stop the potential improve in local transmissions, which might, in turn, overwhelm the healthcare system and impact people’s livelihoods.
The first local transmission of the Omicron variant in Thailand was reported on Monday, December 20. The following day, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration held an urgent assembly, chaired by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, and determined to close registration for the two entry schemes until further discover. The CCSA will discuss revisions to the Thailand Pass after the holidays on January four.
Travellers from approved nations can still apply for the Thailand Pass to enter the country under the Phuket Sandbox or the Alternative Quarantine schemes. (See below)
The Test & Go scheme has allowed vaccinated travellers from low risk countries to enter Thailand with a minimal quarantine period at a hotel while they wait for results from an RT-PCR take a look at, which can take as a lot as a day. The Sandbox programme has allowed vaccinated travellers to roam freely in provinces and areas accredited for the pilot tourism scheme for seven days before travelling throughout the nation.
Those who’ve been permitted beneath the Test & Go or sandbox programme, and have received a Thailand Pass QR code, can nonetheless enter Thailand beneath the two schemes.
Those travellers at the second are required to endure a further RT-PCR test, with the primary one taken upon arrival and the second check taken at a government-designated facility on their seventh day in Thailand. Click HERE for a listing of laboratories accredited for RT-PCR testing.
โซล่าเซลล์คุณภาพดี made an announcement and with an official graphic saying the last group of these permitted under the Test & Go scheme will be able to enter until January 10. The Department of Consular Affairs, which runs the Thailand Pass website, has not made an official assertion on a cut off date for these registered for the Test & Go and Sandbox schemes. The order printed within the Royal Gazette additionally doesn’t embrace a reduce off journey date for people who have already registered or been permitted. UPDATE: A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has since confirmed that their is not any cutoff date.
For candidates who’ve registered by way of the Thailand Pass, but have not obtained a QR code, might need to wait till they’re approved. Once approved, they can enter Thailand beneath the scheme they registered for.
Travellers can still register and enter under the Phuket Sandbox scheme, which permits totally vaccinated travellers to remain on the island province somewhat than isolating at a quarantine-approved lodge. Travellers should keep on the island for at least seven days and book a keep at a hotel or resort accredited for the scheme.
Travellers might need to undergo an RT-PCR take a look at upon arrival, after which one other earlier than day seven of their keep in Thailand. Both exams are at the expense of the traveller. An earlier test shall be given if the traveller develops Covid-19 symptoms.
Travellers must apply for a Thailand Pass QR code. Click HERE.
Travellers entering Thailand beneath the Alternative Quarantine scheme… or as tourism officers prefer to call it “Happy Quarantine,” must isolate at an permitted resort, resort, or quarantine facility, seven to 14 days. The length of the quarantine period is determined by vaccination standing and which country the traveller is coming from.
Travellers will undergo two to three RT-PCR checks before being released from quarantine.
Travellers must apply for a Thailand Pass QR code. Click HERE..