Thread: Thailand to reduce quarantine period for vaccinated travellers

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand will from next month reduce its mandatory quarantine from 14 to seven days for foreigners arriving in the country who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus, its Health Minister said on Monday.

Vaccinations must be administered within three months of the travel period and visitors will still be required to show negative COVID-19 test results within three days of their departure, Anutin Charnvirankul told a news conference.


Those not yet inoculated but with coronavirus-free certificates would be quarantined for 10 days, he said.


“Foreigners travelling to Thailand with vaccination certificates in accordance with the requirements of each brands, will need to quarantine for only seven days,” Anutin said, referring to the doses needed to be effective.


Thailand’s flight limits, its strict entry requirements and mandatory quarantine for all arrivals have been central to its success in limiting the spread of the virus to just over 26,000 cases and 85 deaths.

Those curbs have decimated its vital tourism sector, however, prompting widespread jobs losses and business closures and contributing to the country’s deepest economic traction in over two decades.


The country received close to 40 million visitors in 2019.


The new measures do not apply to those travelling from Africa, who would still be subject to quarantine for two weeks due to concerns about other variants of the virus.


Vaccinated Thai nationals without a certificate showing they are coronavirus-free need to spend one week in quarantine after two negative tests in the country.

After October, if Thailand inoculates 70% of medical personnel and at-risk groups, there could be more easing of restriction, Anutin said, adding it was possible quarantine could be waived completely.


Thailand has so far vaccinated 27,497 people, mostly medical workers, using the Sinovac Biotech vaccine. It has ordered 61 million doses in total of the AstraZeneca vaccine with mass vaccinations slated to begin in June


Anutin said the country may need to order an additional 10 to 20 million doses, which it could source from other producers.


Thailand to reduce quarantine period for vaccinated travellers | Reuters

Oh do fuck off.

They just don't get it do they?

The Bangkok Post report is somewhat different.

Quarantine requirements could be eased for visitors inoculated against Covid-19 before they travel to Thailand, beginning in October, as the government struggles to rescue the tourism sector.

Apisamai Srirangson, assistant spokeswoman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, said on Monday CCSA officials favoured Oct 1 for the easing of restrictions on travellers who have been given an approved vaccine.

The final decision would be made by the CCSA board, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, at its meeting next Monday.

All arrivals are currently required to go through 14-day quarantine upon entry to the country.
The spokeswoman did not say by how much quarantine may be shortened.

"The quarantine period will be different from those who are not vaccinated," Dr Apisamai said.

"Travel from overseas would be easier," she added.

The government is struggling to revitalise the tourism industry, which accounted for about 20% of gross domestic product before international travel was brought to a halt by the coronavirus pandemic.

The sector relies on spending by foreign tourists.

Dr Apisamai said the board meeting next week would also discuss the possible lifting of the emergency decree at the end of May, and reliance on communicable disease laws to contain the virus from June.

Thailand's daily rate of infection has fallen from triple to double figures since the start of mass testing in affected communities following the second wave surge in mid-December. The CCSA announced 71 new cases on Monday.

Shorter quarantine likely for vaccinated arrivals

Originally Posted by misskit

Those not yet inoculated but with coronavirus-free certificates would be quarantined for 10 days, he said.

What does that mean??? A negative covid test?

Originally Posted by misskit

Those not yet inoculated but with coronavirus-free certificates would be quarantined for 10 days, he said.

Originally Posted by Buckaroo Banzai

What does that mean??? A negative covid test?

No, it's poof that you've been given corona virus - free.

Originally Posted by cyrille

No, it's poof that you've been given corona virus - free.

With "No money back guarantee"? LOL

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Oh do fuck off.

They just don't get it do they?

Indeed. They certainly don't get it.
And all this, after positive and noted suggestions [of the last 3-4 weeks] that they were intending to fully embrace the lifting of quarantine for those whom have been vaccinated certified.

Typical wishy washy Thai bureaucratic-speak.
Wait. They'll implement a new policy - in one form or another - in less than a month's time.
Hope springs eternal, as there's a tremendous amount of pressure on them to keep their original words from particular sectors.

Originally Posted by Buckaroo Banzai

Now I am reading on the Bangkok Post , on an article released the same day as the Reuters article :
"Quarantine requirements could be eased for visitors inoculated against Covid-19 before they travel to Thailand, beginning in October, as the government struggles to rescue the tourism sector. "

You could have read post #3 of course.

Originally Posted by HuangLao

Indeed. They certainly don't get it.
And all this, after positive and noted suggestions [of the last 3-4 weeks] that they were intending to fully embrace the lifting of quarantine for those whom have been vaccinated certified.

Well if the BKK Post report is true, the decision will be made next week. Plenty of time for a flip, a flop and another flip or three between now and then.

I expect they are expecting a flood of bookings in that time to confirm the wisdom of their suggestion. I hope they aren't too disappointed.

I've booked a (fully refundable) hotel in July because they'll then have time to see how it affects countries like Cyprus, who are going to let vaccinated tourists in from 1st May and I would expect Thailand to follow suit by that time if not earlier.