Starting February 1, Thailand’s Test & Go method for entry into the country will return with a few tweaks. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said on Thursday that they will re-introduce this measure due to the slowing of infection cases.
The program was halted a month ago just before Christmas after being active for seven weeks. The reasoning behind halting the quarantine free entry method was in large part due to fears at the time of the rising cases and the possibility that the Omicron variant would evade testing.
Following other attempts the country has made – which include the more restrictive mandatory quarantine and the Phuket Sandbox method – to reopen, Test & Go will follow a more cautious approach to reopening.
Unlike when the method was first launched, now travelers must take a PCR test upon arrival and once again five days after arrival. Previously travelers were required to quarantine in their hotels for one night while waiting for the PCR tests which were taken upon arrival.
Now travelers must just quarantine on night 1 and on night 5 and agree to have their whereabouts tracked between that time period for contact tracing.
Travelers to Thailand must first apply for a Thailand Pass in order to enter the country under the Test & Go method. Furthermore, they will need to provide proof of the items listed below:
- A vaccination certificate
- A pre-arrival negative RT-PCR test result
- Confirmation of stay in hotel for day 1 with PCR test upon arrival
- An insurance policy with coverage of no less than $50,000
While the country is reportedly set to relax laws on alcohol sales and time extension for selling, mask-wearing is compulsory throughout the country indoors and outdoors. Thailand is currently reporting a seven-day average of just 7,515 cases of Covid-19.
Lastly, all travelers must realize that starting in April, they must pay an entry fee of $9 to enter the country.