Bangkok 9 January, 2022 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide an update on the latest announcement by the Royal Thai Government that redesignated 69 provinces as Controlled Areas or orange zone, while maintaining 8 remaining provinces plus districts in 18 provinces as ‘Blue Zone’ pilot tourist destinations, effective from 9 January, 2022.

Published in the Royal Thai Government Gazette on 8 January, 2022, the announcement also officiated the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration’s (CCSA) decision to reopen 3 more Sandbox destinations – Krabi, Phang-Nga, and Surat Thani (only Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao) from 11 January, 2022 – in addition to Phuket. 

The announcement also confirmed that travellers who have applied/obtained their Thailand Pass QR code before 22 December, 2021, with scheduled arrival dates in Thailand from 24 December, 2021, onwards, can still enter Thailand until there are any changes. Currently, there is no cut-off date.

Stepped up COVID-19 curbs in ‘Blue Zone’ destinations

The announcement maintained directives announced in the Royal Gazette on 30 October, 2021, which allowed nearly all businesses and activities in the Blue Zone provinces/districts to resume “New Normal” operations in a COVID-free setting from 1 November, 2021.

These include all shopping venues, convenience stores, markets, cinemas and theatres, sports venues, hair salons and barbershops, massage and spa shops, beauty and aesthetic clinics, and tattoo shops. Meetings, events, and fairs can be also held normally with no limitation on the number of attendees.

Restaurants and eateries in the Blue Zone destinations, including Bangkok, can also resume normal opening hours. However, from 9 January, 2021, only restaurants and eateries that have received the SHA Plus certification (Ministry of Tourism and Sports) or the Thai Stop COVID 2 Plus standard (Ministry of Public Health) will be allowed to serve dine-in customers alcoholic beverages up until 21.00 Hrs.

However, all types of entertainment venues, including pubs, bars, and karaoke shops nationwide are to remain closed until further notice.

8 “Blue Zone” Provinces + 18 Provinces with ‘Blue Zone” Districts

Central Region: Bangkok, and Ayutthaya (Mueang district only), Kanchanaburi, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phetchaburi (Cha-am district only), Prachuap Khiri Khan (Mueang, Hua Hin, and Nong Kae districts only), and Samut Prakan (Suvarnabhumi Airport only).

Eastern Region: Chanthaburi (only for Mueang and Tha Mai districts), Chon Buri, Rayong (Ko Samet only), and Trat (Ko Chang and Ko Kut districts only).

Northeastern Region: Buri Ram (Mueang district only), Khon Kaen (Mueang, Khao Suan Kwang, Poei Noi, Phon, Phu Wiang, Wiang Kao, and Ubolratana districts only), Loei (Chiang Khan district only), Nakhon Ratchasima (Mueang, Chaloem Phra Kiat, Chok Chai, Pak Chong, Phimai, Sikhio, and Wang Nam Khiao districts), Nong Khai (Mueang, Sangkhom, Si Chiang Mai and Tha Bo districts only), Surin (Mueang and Tha Tum districts only), and Udon Thani (Mueang, Ban Dung, Kumphawapi, Na Yung, Prachaksilpakhom, and Nong Han districts only).

Northern Region: Chiang Mai (Mueang, Chom Thong, Doi Tao, Mae Rim, and Mae Taeng districts only), and Chiang Rai (Mueang, Chiang Khong, Chiang Saen, Mae Chan, Mae Fah Luang, Mae Sai, Phan, Thoeng, Wiang Kaen, and Wiang Pa Pao districts only).

Southern Region: Krabi, Phang-Nga, Phuket, Ranong (Ko Phayam only), and Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao only).

Stepped up COVID-19 curbs in Controlled Areas or orange zone provinces

The announcement also maintained directives announced in the Royal Gazette on 30 October, 2021, which allowed malls, markets, convenience stores, and cinemas to resume “New Normal” operations in a COVID-free setting from 1 November, 2021.

Restaurants and eateries in the orange zone provinces can resume normal opening hours, but will not be allowed to serve dine-in customers alcoholic beverages. This measure applies to all restaurants and eateries, both standalone and those situated in shopping malls, department stores, community malls, and similar venues.

Amusement parks and water parks within shopping malls, department stores, community malls, and similar venues must remain closed.

Meetings and events in hotels, trade centres, convention halls, and similar venues can be organised for less than 1,000 attendees, and under stringent disease prevention and control guidelines.

Meanwhile, provinces in the orange zone can arrange more engaging activities; such as, sports tournaments, food fairs, and the like for no more than 1,000 attendees.

Beauty and aesthetic clinics, hair salons and barbershops, tattoo shops, massage and spa shops, and Thai traditional massage shops can open until 24.00 Hrs.

Public parks, sports fields, outdoor swimming pools, outdoor and indoor gyms and fitness centres can open normally. Sports tournaments can be held, but the number of attendees must be capped at 50% of the capacity for indoor venues and 75% for outdoor venues.

69 Controlled Areas or orange zone provinces (alphabetical order region-by-region)

Central Region: Ang Thong, Ayutthaya*, Chai Nat, Lop Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Phetchaburi*, Prachuap Khiri Khan*, Ratchaburi, Samut Prakan*, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Sing Buri, and Suphan Buri.

Eastern Region: Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi*, Prachin Buri, Rayong*, Trat*, and Sa Kaeo.

Northeastern Region: Amnat Charoen, Bueng Kan, Buri Ram*, Chaiyaphum, Kalasin, Khon Kaen*, Loei*, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima*, Nong Khai*, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Roi Et, Sakhon Nakhon, Si Sa Ket, Surin*, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani*, and Yasothon.

Northern Region: Chiang Mai*, Chiang Rai*, Kamphaeng Phet, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nakhon Sawan, Nan, Phayao, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Phrae, Sukhothai, Tak, Uthai Thani, and Uttaradit.

Southern Region: Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Phatthalung, Ranong*, Satun, Songkhla, Surat Thani*, Trang, and Yala.

*Except for areas designated as “Blue Zone” pilot tourist destinations.

The TAT Newsroom will be providing an update via www.tatnews.org as soon as the official information becomes available.

For more information on entry into Thailand schemes, please visit: https://www.tatnews.org/thailand-reopening/.

The post Thailand steps up COVID-19 curbs nationwide from 9 January 2022 appeared first on TAT Newsroom.

Read the complete story here

Read the complete story on Thailand Business News

This information has been updated on 7 January, 2022.

In addition to the Phuket Sandbox, Thailand will reopen Krabi, Phang-Nga, and Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Samui) for international arrivals under the Sandbox programme from 11 January, 2022.

• Eligible travellers
  • Thai citizens.
  • Foreign travellers, including but not limited to diplomats, guests of the government, Thai work permit holders, students and their family, and patients seeking medical treatment.
• Eligible countries
  • All countries/territories.
• Points of entry
  • By air at Phuket International Airport. *For Krabi, Phang-Nga, and Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao), we will provide an update as soon as the official information is available.
  • By water, provided that everyone on board the vessels meet the vaccination, testing, and entry requirements. *We will provide an update on this as soon as the official information becomes available.
• Eligible Sandbox destinations within Thailand
  • Krabi, Phang-Nga, Phuket, Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao).

Pre-Arrival Requirements

All eligible travellers travelling from the eligible countries must have the following documents for entering Thailand:

• A Thailand Pass, which can be applied via https://tp.consular.go.th/.
• A Medical Certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected issued no more than 72 hours before travelling.
  • Travellers under 6 years of age, travelling with parents with a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours before travelling, are not required to have a pre-arrival negative RT-PCR test result and can have a saliva test when entering the Kingdom.
  • For arrivals by water, everyone on board the vessels must have a medical certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected within the officially specified time frame. Anyone on board with a history of COVID-19 infection within a period between 14-90 days must have a medical certificate of recovery. *We will provide an update on this as soon as the official information becomes available.
• An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$50,000.
  • Thais and foreign expatriates under Thailand’s national healthcare coverage are exempt from this requirement.
• A confirmed payment for at least a 7-day stay at an approved accommodation; such as, a SHA++ hotel, within either Krabi, Phang-Nga, Phuket, or Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao). They must also have proof of a confirmed payment for 2 RT-PCR tests, which can be reserved via www.thailandpsas.com (2,100 Baht per 1 test, or totalling 4,200 Baht for 2 tests).
• A Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination/Recovery
  • Everyone 18 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 with an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand.
  • Travellers 12-17 years of age travelling to Thailand unaccompanied must get vaccinated with at least 1 dose of an approved vaccine. Those travelling with parents are exempt from this requirement.
  • Travellers 6-11 years of age, travelling with parents, are exempt from this requirement.
  • For arrivals by water, everyone on board must be fully vaccinated. This is except for travellers under 18 years of age, travelling with parents or guardians. *We will provide an update on this as soon as the official information becomes available.
  • Travellers with a history of COVID-19 infection who have recovered by medical treatment and travellers who have received at least 1 dose of an approved vaccine after post-infection must have a certificate of COVID-19 recovery.

All travellers must undergo ‘exit screening’ at the point of departure, i.e., at the airline check-in counter and present the required documents to the person-in-charge to carry out the checks.

On-Arrival Requirements / During the Stay

Protocol for Sandbox travellers.

1. Travellers must complete the TM6 Immigration Form (while on the plane).
2. Upon arrival in the airport’s terminal, travellers must complete and sign the Quarantine Form before proceeding to the Health Control screening point. Children under 12 years of age can use the same form as their parents/guardians. *Soon this step will be conducted while on the plane.
3. Present the required documents, including the Thailand Pass, arrival date, and RT-PCR test results to the Communicable Disease Control officers to carry out the checks. Provided that all documents are in order, the officers will then affix the Quarantine Form with the official seal of Thailand’s Department of Disease Control, along with instructions on either to undergo a quarantine or mandatory stay, and the 2 required RT-PCR tests.
4. Travellers will receive a copy of the affixed Quarantine Form, along with a QR code indicating the requirement to under the 2 mandatory RT-PCR tests, which must be prepaid by the travellers prior to applying for the Thailand Pass.
5. Travellers can then proceed to Immigration. As well as going through the Immigration procedures, travellers must also present their copy of the affixed Quarantine Form and passport to the Immigration officer to carry out the checks. Provided that all are in order, travellers will then be allowed to proceed to a prearranged transfer to the reserved hotel.
6. Upon arrival at the hotel, travellers must present their copy of the affixed Quarantine Form to the hotel staff to carry out the checks on the type of entry scheme permitted to the travellers. The travellers’ information will then be registered on the COSTE system. Afterwards, travellers must undergo the first RT-PCR test (except for those who have already taken the test at government-designated hospitals/lab centres prior to their arrival at the hotel).
7. If receiving a negative RT-PCR test result, travellers can enjoy travel activities within a Sandbox destination throughout the 7 days, but must return to their prearranged accommodation on a nightly basis. They are not allowed to stay overnight in any other places.
   • If testing positive for COVID-19, travellers will be referred to a healthcare facility for appropriate medical treatment, for which the expenses must be covered by the required insurance, or national healthcare coverage for Thais and eligible foreign expatriates.
8. On Day 5-6, travellers must go to their appointment at the government-designated hospitals/lab centres to undergo their second RT-PCR test (must be prepaid by the travellers prior to applying for the Thailand Pass).
9. Travellers give their copy of affixed Quarantine Form/prepaid RT-PCR testing number to the hospitals/lab centres for reference.

Remarks

• Travellers with a negative test result can enjoy travel activities within a Sandbox destination throughout the 7 days, but must return to their prearranged accommodation on a nightly basis. They are not allowed to stay overnight in any other places.
• Travellers must stay at least the first 7 nights within a Sandbox destination if planning to continue the journey to other destinations in Thailand. If staying less than 7 nights, the traveller must leave Thailand to another country immediately.
• All travellers must download and install the MorChana application, and set it on at all times for the COVID-19 precautionary measures and to record the result on Day 5-6 in the application.

Guidelines for Domestic/International Departure

• For international departure, it is the responsibility of travellers or their organisations to make sure that the travellers meet the requirements of their specific international destination regardless of the point of departure.
• For domestic departure, after having completed the required 7-day mandatory stay within a Sandbox destination, travellers are free to go anywhere in Thailand.

Kindly note the information is to serve as reference only and is subject to change without prior notice. It is especially important to check in regularly on www.tatnews.org to stay current on what remains a very fluid and fast changing situation.

Sample Quarantine Form
(Source: https://www.facebook.com/informationcovid19/photos/471617301123266)

List of Swab Centres in Phuket for Sandbox travellers

The post UPDATED! Sandbox entry programme available at 4 destinations from 11 January 2022 appeared first on TAT Newsroom.

Read the complete story here

Read the complete story on Thailand Business News

This information has been updated on 23 December, 2021.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide an update on the latest announcement published on 22 December, 2021 in the Royal Thai Government Gazette that officially confirms the continuation of the Thailand Pass for all new applications under the Alternative Quarantine (Happy Quarantine) entry scheme, effective from 22 December, 2021.

Travellers who have already received a Thailand Pass QR code will be allowed to enter Thailand under the existing conditions of the scheme. Meanwhile, new applicants who have not received their QR code must wait for their Thailand Pass to be considered / approved. Once approved, they can enter Thailand under the scheme.

• Eligible travellers
  • Thai citizens.
  • Foreign travellers, including but not limited to diplomats, guests of the government, Thai work permit holders, students and their family, and patients seeking medical treatment.
• Eligible countries
  • All countries/territories except 8 high-risk African countries – Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
  • Thais and diplomats travelling from the 8 high-risk countries are allowed to enter Thailand under the Happy Quarantine programme.
• Points of entry
  • All points of entry (air/land/water).

Pre-Arrival Requirements

All travellers must have the following documents for entering to Thailand:

• A Thailand Pass, which can be applied via https://tp.consular.go.th/.
• A Medical Certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected issued no more than 72 hours before travelling.
  • Thai nationals are exempt from this requirement.
  • Travellers under 6 years of age, travelling with parents, are exempt from this requirement.
  • For arrivals by water, everyone on board the vessels must have a medical certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected within the officially specified time frame. Anyone on aboard with a history of COVID-19 infection within a period between 14-90 days must have a medical certificate of recovery.
• An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$50,000.
  • Thais and foreign expatriates under Thailand’s national healthcare coverage are exempt from this requirement.
• A confirmed payment for an Alternative Quarantine (AQ) accommodation or similar government-approved facility. Foreign nationals must also have proof of payment for the required RT-PCR tests.
  • In case of a 7-day or 10-day quarantine, 2 RT-PCR COVID-19 tests are required.
  • In case of a 14-day quarantine, 3 RT-PCR COVID-19 tests are required.
• All travellers must undergo the ‘exit screening’ at the point of departure (air/land/water) and present the required documents to the person-in-charge to carry out the checks.

On-Arrival Requirements / During the Stay

• All travellers must undergo the ‘entry screening’ including body temperature check at the point of entry (air/land/water).
• Present the required documents to the Immigration/Health Control officer to carry out the checks, then proceed through the Immigration procedures.
• Then, proceed to undergo the quarantine.
  • At least a 7-day quarantine for travellers who have a Certificate of Vaccination for have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 with an approved vaccine – or at least 1 dose for travellers under 18 years of age – at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand.
  • At least a 10-day quarantine for travellers who do not have a Certificate of Vaccination.
  • For arrivals by water, if everyone on board has a Certificate of Vaccination for having been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 with an approved vaccine – or at least 1 dose for travellers under 18 years of age – at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand, then the quarantine period is 7 days. In case that any one of the people on board do not have a Certificate of Vaccination, then the quarantine period is 10 days.
  • For arrivals from the low-risk countries (other African countries as mentioned above), the quarantine period is 14 days.
  • For travellers under 18 years of age, travelling with parents or guardians, the quarantine period is within the same duration as their parents or guardians.
• Undergo RT-PCR COVID-19 tests.
  • For travellers under a 7-day quarantine, 2 RT-PCR tests on Day 0-1 and Day 5-6.
  • For travellers under a 10-day quarantine, 2 RT-PCR tests on Day 0-1 and Day 8-9.
  • For travellers under a 14-day quarantine, 3 RT-PCR tests on Day 0-1, Day 5-6, and Day 12-13.
• All travellers must download and install the MorChana application, and set it on at all times for the COVID-19 precautionary measures.

Guidelines for Domestic/International Departure

• For international departure, it is the responsibility of travellers or their organisations to make sure that the travellers meet the requirements of their specific international destination regardless of the point of departure.
• For domestic departure, after having completed the required quarantine period, travellers are free to go anywhere in Thailand.

Kindly note the information is to serve as reference only and is subject to change without prior notice. It is especially important to check in regularly on www.tatnews.org to stay current on what remains a very fluid and fast changing situation.

The post UPDATED! Happy Quarantine entry rules from 22 December 2021 appeared first on TAT Newsroom.

Read the complete story here