TCEB Situation Update COVID-19 virus on 21 July 2021
TCEB Situation Update
Travel Advisory: COVID-19 Virus on 21 July 2021
Limit of Domestic Flight Operation
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) issued an announcement number 3 on 18 July 2021 establishing the directives for airport and domestic flight operators to prohibit flights in and out of the provinces declared maximum control area with high restriction, effective 21 July 2021. The guidelines are in response to the heightened disease prevention measures established by The Centre of COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) in its announcement number 28 and order 10/2564 dated 17 July 2021. The details of the directives are as follows:
1. CAAT announcement number 2 dated 9 July 2021 regarding the directives that must be followed by airport and domestic flight operators during COVID-19 situation is nullified and the announcement number 3 dated 18 July 2021 shall be enforced, instead.
2. Passenger flights operated domestically is prohibited to service passengers in and out of maximum control area with high restriction (dark red zone) for at least 14 days, except the following cases:
2.1 Flights operated under Sandbox programme
2.2 Emergency landing or technical landing without passenger disembarkation
2.3 Necessary cases permitted by CAAT, which require evidences validating such necessity, such as medical treatment or vaccination
3. In case of flight cancellation and consolidation, the airlines must inform and take appropriate care of the passengers in line with the announcement of the Ministry of Transport, B.E. 2553 regarding the protection of rights of passengers flying domestically with Thai airlines. International flights and cargo flights with no passengers are not impacted by CAAT’s new announcement.
4. The airlines and airports must prepare the documents validating the necessity of the personnel operating public transport service under their organisation and being exempted from the directives. They must display the documents if the examination of their operation in the maximum control area with high restriction is conducted.
5. The airlines and airports whose services remain operational during this particular period must observe the followings:
5.1 In carrying the passengers, only 50% of seat capacity is allowed. Distance between seating must be arranged. Passengers travelling together can sit next to each other.
5.2 Prior entry into airport, strict screening must be conducted, surgical mask or fabric mask must be worn and body temperature must be checked with non-contact infrared thermometer. Entry will be denied if the person wears no surgical mask or fabric mask, or over 37.3 degree Celsius is measured, or respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, sore throat, running nose, breathing difficulty, are detected.
5.3 Before issuing air ticket, the airlines must examine key documents of the passenger as required by the disease prevention measures of the end provincial destination. In case of incorrect and incomplete documents, the airlines can consider not releasing the ticket.
5.4 The airlines must screen the passenger’s temperature, using non-contact infrared thermometer before the passengers embark at source destination. In case over 37.3 degree Celsius or respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, sore throat, running nose, breathing difficulty, are detected, the airlines must inform public health authority in their area.
5.5 Before the passengers leave the airport, the airport operator must conduct strict screening by checking their body temperature with non-contact infrared thermometer. In case over 37.3 degree Celsius or respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, sore throat, running nose, breathing difficulty, are detected, the airport must immediately inform public health authority in their area.
5.6 The airports must supervise enterprises in their premise and ensure that they strictly follow the measures of CCSA.
5.7 The airports and airlines must strengthen their supervision of service users to ensure that they strictly follow CAAT directives announced on 9 April 2021 regarding operating practices in servicing the passengers flying on domestic routes during COVID-19 situation, including the measures of CCSA or government.
5.8 The airlines and airports must issue warning to the passengers in case their infection is confirmed or they are high risk person and that they must refrain from travel. Violation is subject to the penalties stated in Communicable Disease Act, B.E. 2558.
CAAT has been coordinating with the airlines to facilitate change of travel plans of the passengers and to ensure that they have enough time to make plan adjustment. In this regard, CAAT has asked CCSA for the extension of the enforcement of these directives to 21 July 2021, until the situation subsides or until further notice.
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Further information about COVID-19 outbreak from WHO
Department of Disease Control Contact Centre (Call 1422 24/7)
Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) (Call +66 (0) 2694 6000)
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