TCEB Situation Update COVID-19 Virus on 1 May 2022
The situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand is on declining trend. World Health Organization (WHO) has recognised Thailand as a model country of efficient pandemic management and response. In order that social and economic activities can be continued to near normal situation alongside the exercise of public health measures, the Thai government has issued regulations to ease disease control measures as follows:
1. Adjustment of zoning and enhancement of pilot tourism zones
The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has adjusted area zoning and increased pilot tourism zones, effective from 1 May 2022 onwards. The details are as follows:
1) 65 close surveillance provinces: Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Khon Kaen (except Muang District, Khao Suan Kwang District, Poei Noi District, Phon District, Phu Wiang District, Wiang Kao District, and Ubolratana District), Chanthaburi (except Muang District and Tha Mai District), Chachoengsao, Chainat, Chaiyaphum, Chumphon, Chiang Rai (except Muang District, Chiang Khong District, Chiang Saen District, Thoeng District, Phan District, Mae Chan District, Mae Fah Luang District, Mae Sai District, Mae Suai District, Wiang Kaen District, and Wiang Pa Pao District), Trang, Trat (except Koh Kood District and Koh Chang District), Tak, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima (except Muang District, Chaloem Phra Kiat District, Chok Chai District, Pak Chong District, Phimai District, Wang Nam Khiao District, and Sikhio District), Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nakhon Sawan, Narathiwat, Nan, Bueng Kan, Buriram (except Muang District), Prachuap Khiri Khan (except Hua Hin Municipality, only Tambon Hua Hin and Tambon Nong Kae), Prachinburi, Pattani, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya (except Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Bang Pa-in District, Phachi District and Uthai District), Phatthalung, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Phrae, Phayao, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Mae Hong Son, Yala, Yasothon, Roi Et, Ranong (except Koh Phayam), Ratchaburi, Lopburi, Lampang, Lamphun, Loei (except Chiang Khan District), Sisaket, Sakon Nakhon, Satun, Samut Prakan (except the Suvarnabhumi Airport), Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Sa Kaeo, Saraburi, Sing Buri, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani (except Koh Tao, Koh Pha-Ngan and Koh Samui), Surin (except Muang District and Tha Tum District), Nong Khai (except Muang District, Tha Bo District, Sri Chiang Mai District and Sangkom District), Nong Bua Lamphu, Ang Thong, Udon Thani (except Muang District, Kumphawapi District, Na Yung District, Ban Dung District, Prachaksinlapakhom District and Nong Han District), Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Ubon Ratchathani, Amnat Charoen
2) 28 pilot tourism zones: Bangkok, Krabi, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen (only Muang District, Khao Suan Kwang District, Poei Noi District, Phon District, Phu Wiang District, Wiang Kao District and Ubolratana District), Chanthaburi (only Muang District and Tha Mai District), Chonburi, Chiang Rai (only Muang District, Chiang Khong District, Chiang Saen District, Thoeng District, Phan District, Mae Chan District, Mae Fah Luang District, Mae Sai District, Mae Suai District, Wiang Kaen District and Wiang Pa Pao District), Chiang Mai, Trat (only Koh Kood District and Koh Chang District), Nakhon Ratchasima (only Muang District, Chaloem Phra Kiat District, Chok Chai District, Pak Chong District, Phimai District, Wang Nam Khiao District, and Sikhio District), Nonthaburi, Buriram (only Muang District), Pathum Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan (only Hua Hin Municipality, only Tambon Hua Hin and Tambon Nong Kae), Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya (only Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Bang Pa-in District, Phachi District, Uthai District), Phang Nga, Phetchaburi, Phuket, Yala (only Betong District), Ranong (only Koh Phayam), Rayong, Loei (only Chiang Khan District), Songkhla, Samut Prakan (only the Suvarnabhumi Airport), Surat Thani (only Koh Tao, Koh Pha-Ngan and Koh Samui), Surin (only Muang District and Tha Tum District), Nong Khai (only Muang District, Tha Bo District, Sri Chiang Mai District and Sangkhom District), Udon Thani (only Muang District, Kumphawapi District, Na Yung District, Ban Dung District, Prachaksinlapakhom District and Nong Han District)
2. Extending the enforcement period of disease control and preventive measures
The integrated control measures, prohibitions, exceptions, and execution guidelines for different levels of provincial zones, including preparation measures as stated in Regulation No. 37 dated 30 October 2021 and the integrated control measures in pilot tourism areas as stated in Regulation No. 42 dated 21 January 2022, namely the prohibition of activities with a risk of disease transmission, gathering activities that can be held without permission, the integrated control measures classified to fit each area, the integrated control measures for pilot tourism areas, and surveillance measures to control the transmission in areas posing infection risks, including measures, criteria or practical guidelines established under this regulation, will remain in force as long as they are not contradicting.
With regard to the execution of duties by officials, heads of public agencies, business owners or entrepreneurs can consider working outside the usual workplace as deemed appropriate.
Regulation No. 37 http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2564/E/262/T_0001.PDF
Regulation No. 42 http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2565/E/016/T_0062.PDF
3. Adjustment of
integrated control measures in close surveillance areas and pilot tourism areas
The integrated control measures must be strictly exercised in
close surveillance areas and pilot tourism areas in regard to the reopening of
venues, enterprises and the resumption of activities in close surveillance and
surveillance areas as stated in clause 3 and 4 of the Regulation No. 42 dated
21 January 2022 (http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2565/E/016/T_0062.PDF).
As such, control measures of alcoholic consumption in close surveillance,
surveillance, and pilot tourism areas can be adjusted. Sales of alcoholic drink
can be undertaken only in the SHA PLUS or Thai Stop COVID 2 Plus certified
shops or the shops exercising COVID Free Setting. Drinking is allowed until
24.00 hrs. only. The Provincial Communicable Disease Committee can consider
additional control measures to fit the situation of each particular area.
Measures effective in Bangkok from 1 May 2022 onwards
1) The sale and the consumption of alcoholic drink are allowed until 24.00 hrs. only in the establishments certified SHA Plus by Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration, or Thai Stop COVID 2 Plus.
2) The organisation of meetings, seminars, events in hotels, exhibition centres, convention centres, exhibition halls, department stores, community malls, conference venues and facilities, banquet venues and facilities, or any other similar establishments must comply with the COVID Free Setting measures and exercise the guidelines established by the Ministry of Public Health and Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization). The alcoholic beverages can be consumed at SHA PLUS by Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration, or Thai Stop COVID 2 Plus certified venues or establishments until 24.00 hrs. only.
The number of event participants must comply with the clause 6 of BMA Announcement on Order of Temporary Closure of Premises No. 45 dated 30 October 2021 ( https://www.prbangkok.com/en/covid/detail/19/6041 ), which stipulates that the activities gathering more than 1,000 participants are not allowed, except those with the permission from the BMA Health Department or those granted with the exception as stated in the Regulation No. 37 dated 30 October 2021 (http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2564/E/262/T_0001.PDF)
3) Service establishments or similar enterprises, entertainment venues, pubs, bars, karaoke lounges, which have made preparation for the execution of public health measures and would like to adjust their service into food and drink outlets, must seek permission from the district office in their locations and must undergo readiness assessment conducted by the authorities before opening. As for the consumption of alcoholic drink in their establishments, they must follow clause 1 in the BMA Announcement on Order of Temporary Closure of Premises No. 49 dated 8 January 2022, which stipulates that such establishments must be SHA PLUS certified by Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration, or Thai Stop COVID 2 Plus. The consumption is allowed until 21.00 hrs.(https://www.prbangkok.com/en/covid/detail/19/8922)
4) Movie theatres are allowed to open and must comply with disease control measures of the Ministry of Public Health.
5) Beauty shops, hair salons, nail salons and tattoo shops are allowed to open and must comply with disease control measures of the Ministry of Public Health. For tattoo shops, the customers must show proof of vaccination or negative result of COVID-19 using RT-PCR test or ATK self-test kit issued within 72 hours before the service.
6) Health-related establishments, spas, or Thai massage services are allowed to open and must comply with disease control measures of the Ministry of Public Health. For spa service, only the service that use water for health-related purpose is allowed. The customers must show proof of vaccination or negative result of COVID-19 using RT-PCR test or ATK self-test kit issued within 72 hours before the service.
In any other cases, the establishments must comply with BMA Announcement on Order of Temporary Closure of Premises No. 51 dated 14 March 2022 ( https://www.prbangkok.com/th/covid/detail/19/11163 ).
4. Adjustment of inbound
traveller types
To facilitate the screening of inbound
travellers to fit the actual situation starting from 1 May 2022 onwards,
inbound travellers are classified as follows:
1) Travellers, who enter Thailand with proof of
full vaccination against COVID-19 as required by the vaccine manufacturers
or by the authorities, are referred to as Vaccinated Persons.
2) Travellers, who enter Thailand without full
vaccination against COVID-19 as required by the vaccine manufacturers or
by the authorities, are referred to as Unvaccinated / Not Fully Vaccinated
Persons.
3) Travellers, on exceptional case, are allowed
or invited to enter Thailand by the Prime Minister or head of authority in
charge of the resolution of emergency situation.
Information about the
entry in Thailand can be referred at Department of Consular Affairs, Minister of
Foreign Affairs: https://tp.consular.go.th
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