Thailand’s Health Minister and Deputy Prime Minister intends to propose reinstating the nation’s “Test and Go” system soon to expedite economic recovery and boost tourism from overseas.
The minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, said on Monday that he would request the removal of restrictions by the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) established last year to combat the Omicron variant.
Charnvirakul recently approved quarantine-free travel again after discussing the situation with the Department of Disease Control. The decision was based on the Omicron variant’s milder systems and fewer hospitalizations and deaths.
The minister believes the Thai government can repair the travel economy in a COVID-safe setting without too significant an impact from Omicron.
Thailand started the Test and Go system near the end of 2021 to allow travelers to bypass quarantine requirements as long as they met specific testing and vaccination criteria. However, the emergence of Omicron halted the system, and Thailand extended the ban earlier this month.
In 2022, Thailand intends to treat COVID-19 as endemic because the nation relies heavily on the tourism economy. Three years ago, Thailand attracted nearly 40 million visitors, making it one of the most popular destinations in the world.
Current Requirements to Enter Thailand
If you’re fully vaccinated, you can still apply to enter Thailand under the Alternative Quarantine Scheme or the Krabi, Phang-Na, Surat Thani, and Phuket Sandbox Schemes.
Travelers using the Sandbox Schemes must stay within the Sandbox destinations for the first seven nights. If they must leave their accommodation before the end of the period, the traveler must leave the country.
What’s the COVID-19 Situation in Thailand?
Currently, Thailand has an average 7-day case of 4,448. Though Thailand experienced a sharp rise during the holidays due to Omicron, the nation’s case numbers have already dropped throughout the country.