TCEB Situation Update COVID-19 Virus on 11 January 2022

The Royal Thai Government has adjusted the pandemic control measures and provincial zones effective 9 January 2022 to fit the situation and respond to the spreading of omicron infection. The measures are designed for two groups of provinces, 69 provinces in controlled zone and 26 pilot tourism provinces. Registration for Thailand Pass to enter Thailand under Test and Go scheme is temporarily suspended until further notice. However, entry through 3 more provinces designated as pilot tourism area – Krabi, Phang Nga and Suratthani (only Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui) - is reopened for registration from 11 January 2022. The details are as follows:

1. Adjustment of the provincial zones to fit the situation

The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has ordered the adjustment of provincial risk zones, except the pilot tourism areas, enforcing the previous announcement of integrated control measures to fit the situation in each area as long as it does not violate this regulation.

1) Controlled zone – a total of 69 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), Chiang Mai (except Muang District, Chom Thong District, Doi Tao District, Mae Taeng District, and Mae Rim 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, Buengkan, 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), Phatthalung, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phetchaburi (except Cha-am Municipality), Phetchabun, Phrae, Phayao, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Mae Hong Son, Yala, Yasothon, Roi Et, Ranong (except Koh Phayam), Rayong (except Koh Samet), Ratchaburi, Lopburi, Lampang, Lamphun, Loei (except Chiang Khan District), Sisaket, Sakon Nakhon, Songkhla, Satun, Samut Prakan (except the Suvarnabhumi Airport), Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Sa Kaeo, Saraburi, Singburi, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Suratthani (except Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui), Surin (except Muang District and Tha Tum District), Nong Khai (except Muang District, Tha Bo District, Sri Chiang Mai District and Sangkhom 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), Uthaithani, Uttaradit, Ubon Ratchathani, Amnat Charoen

2) Pilot tourism area – a total of 26 provinces: 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 (only Muang District, Chom Thong District, Doi Tao District, Mae Taeng District and Mae Rim District), 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), Phang Nga, Phetchaburi (only Cha-am Municipality), Phuket, Ranong (only Koh Phayam), Rayong (only Koh Samet), Loei (only Chiang Khan District), Samut Prakan (only the Suvarnabhumi Airport), Suratthani (only Koh Tao, Koh Phangan 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. Extension of duration of the enforcement of disease control and preventive measures

The integrated control measures, prohibitions, exclusions and execution guidelines for different levels of risk zones, including preparation measures as stated in Regulation No. 37 dated 30October 2021, namely the prohibition of activities with a risk of disease transmission, gathering activities that can be held without permission, off-site operations of officials of various departments, integrated control measures in provincial zones as fitting to the situation and integrated control measures in pilot tourism areas including measures, rules or guidelines established by the competent officials under such regulation, will remain in force.

In case of operation of officials, staff and employees of various organisations, the heads of civil service sector, government agencies, business owners, and entrepreneurs should consider applying work from home as appropriate from today until 31 January 2022.

3. Adjustment of the integrated control measures in the pilot tourism areas

Integrated control measures must be strictly enforced in pilot tourism areas in case venues and establishments are to be reopened and activities are to be held in the area designated as surveillance area as stipulated in the clause 6 (5) and the clause 8 in the Regulation no. 37 dated 30October 2021.

In pilot tourism areas, the consumption of alcoholic beverage is allowed only in the food and drink outlets that are SHA PLUS certified according to the Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports or they must meet the criteria of cleanliness and safety of the COVID-19 prevention as stated in Thai Stop Covid 2 Plus of the Ministry of Public Health. The alcoholic beverage can be served during the regular opening time until 21:00 p.m. only. The provincial communicable disease committee can consider establishing additional integrated control measures as appropriate to the actual situation in each area.

4. Nation-wide preparation of establishments or venues with risk of disease spreading

The service venues or establishments similar to service venues, entertainment venues, pubs, bars, karaoke lounges, or similar establishments nationwide are not allowed to open. In the case that the entrepreneur or the person in charge has already prepared and implemented the public health measures and would like to adjust their establishments into the venues providing food and drinks, they must undergo the inspection and the evaluation of the readiness of their venues, staff, must strictly follow the disease prevention and control measures, and must obtain the permission from the provincial communicable disease committee within 15 January 2022 before operating which must be under close monitoring of the authorized officers. The consumption of the alcoholic beverage inside the adjusted venues situated in the pilot tourism areas must be in line with the regulation stipulated in the clause 3 above.

5. Additional adjustment of the preventive measures for the entry of the foreign nationals

The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has adjusted the guidelines for the entry of the travellers in response to the present situation. The adjustment takes effect from 11 January 2022. The details are as follows:

1) New registration for Thailand Pass is temporarily suspended except for type (2) travellers who arepermitted to enter the country in Phuket. The disease preventive measures of type (1) and (2) travellers as stipulated in the clause 1 of the Regulation no. 19 dated 14 December 2021 remain in effect until further order or adjustment. http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2564/E/307/T_0067.PDF (TH Version)

2) The registration of type (2) travellers who enter the country in Krabi, Phang Nga, and Suratthani (only Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui ) is opened from11 January 2022.

3) The disease preventive measures are adjusted for type (2) travellers who enter the country in Krabi, Phang Nga, and Suratthani (only Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui). They must provide the required documents for entering Thailand, and must undergo two COVID-19 tests using RT-PCR technique, under the following conditions:

3.1 Travellers must have the proof of the payment for accommodations or government-designated quarantine facilities for at least 7 days, and the proof of the payment for two COVID-19 RT-PCR tests. The accommodation must be registered under the regulations of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and Tourism Authority of Thailand. The quarantine facilities must be registered and examined under the regulations of the Ministry of Public Health, or provincial communicable disease committee. These measures are also applied to travellers who have accommodation in the pilot tourism areas.

3.2 Travellers must undergo the second COVID-19 test using RT-PCR technique on day 5 or 6 of their stay in the pilot tourism areas, or whenever the respiratory symptoms are present. The test must be in line with the government’s criteria and guidelines.

4) Travellers of type (3) (4) (5) (6) of the clause 1 in the order no. 24/2564 of the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration which deals with the guidelines as stated in the regulation no. 19 issued on 14 December 2021 must strictly comply with the previous announcements.

http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2564/E/307/T_0067.PDF (TH Version)

Note: Type (1) travellers are persons who are permitted to enter the country for the reason of economic benefits along with the security of public health according to the country opening plan of the government, and type (2) travellers are persons who are permitted to enter the country in an area designated as a pilot tourism area for the benefits of economy, tourism, or other activities in accordance with the government policies.

Thailand Pass FAQs

https://consular.mfa.go.th/th/content/thailand-pass-faqs-2

6. Intensification of the operation to handle the disease spreading situation

The officers of every organisation shall elevate and intensify the operation as stipulated in the guidelines no. 15 dated 30 September 2021 in order to inspect, control, and monitor the operation of the venues, the businesses, and the activities to ensure that they are complying with the disease control and preventive measures in the country reopening plan of the government. The monitoring and the evaluation will take place periodically.

References

http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2565/E/005/T_0046.PDF (TH Version)

http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2565/E/005/T_0058.PDF (TH Version)

http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2565/E/005/T_0059.PDF (TH Version)

https://www.prbangkok.com/th/covid/detail/19/8922

https://thailand.prd.go.th/ewt_news.php?nid=12155&filename=index

https://thailand.prd.go.th/ewt_news.php?nid=12151&filename=index

https://www.facebook.com/thailandprd/posts/5002145939808780

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Further information about COVID-19 outbreak from WHO

https://www.who.int/thailand/emergencies/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports

Department of Disease Control Contact Centre (Call 1422 24/7)