TCEB Situation Update COVID-19 Virus on 31 January 2022

The Royal Thai Government has introduced a series of integrated Covid-19 control measures in-line with improved situation in order to enable the continuity of business operations and social activities in parallel with public health security. They include a relaxed control for provinces in high surveillance areas and pilot tourism areas in 26 provinces and alcohol consumption inside restaurants which is extended until 11 p.m. is effective since 24 January. From 1 February 2022 onwards, the Test and Go scheme for entry into Thailand is reopened and travel into 3 more provinces designated as pilot tourism areas is allowed. The details of measures and requirements 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 in correspondence with the situation 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 44 provinces: Kalasin, 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, 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 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, Nan, Buriram (except Muang District), Prachuap Khiri Khan (except Hua Hin Municipality, only Tambon Hua Hin and Tambon Nong Kae), Prachinburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya (except Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District), Phatthalung, Phetchaburi (except Cha-am Municipality), Phayao, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Mae Hong Son, Yasothon, Roi Et, Ranong (except Koh Phayam), Rayong (except Koh Samet), Ratchaburi, Lopburi, Sisaket, Songkhla, Satun, Samut Prakan (except the Suvarnabhumi Airport), Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Sa Kaeo, Saraburi, Surat Thani (except Koh Tao, Koh Pha-Ngan and Koh Samui), Surin (except Muang District and Tha Tum District), Udon Thani (except Muang District, Kumphawapi District, Na Yung District, Ban Dung District, Prachaksinlapakhom District and Nong Han District), Ubon Ratchathani, Amnat Charoen

2) High surveillance areas – a total of 25 provinces: Kamphaeng Phet, Chainat, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Sawan, Narathiwat, Bueng Kan, Pattani, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Phrae, Yala, Lampang, Lamphun, Loei (except Chiang Khan District), Sakon Nakhon, Sing Buri, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Nong Khai (except Muang District, Tha Bo District, Sri Chiang Mai District and Sangkom District), Nong Bua Lamphu, Ang Thong, Uttaradit, Uthai Thani

3) 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), 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. Extension of duration in the enforcement of disease control and preventive measures

The integrated control measures, prohibitions, exclusions and execution guidelines for different levels of provincial zones, including preparation measures as stated in Regulation No. 37 dated 30 October 2021, namely the prohibition of activities with a risk of disease transmission, gathering activities that can be held without permission (The controlled areas are prohibited for the group activities of more than 500 people. The high surveillance areas are prohibited for the group activities of more than 1,000 people. The pilot tourism areas can be organized for the group activities as appropriate), the integrated control measures in provincial zones as fitting to the situation, the integrated control measures in pilot tourism areas, together with measures, rules or guidelines established by the competent officials under such regulation, will remain in force.

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 areas designated as surveillance areas as stipulated in the clause 3 of the Regulation no. 41 dated 8 January 2022. The control measures are adjusted as follows:

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, which is undertaken by Tourism Authority of Thailand 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 department of health, Ministry of Public Health. The alcoholic beverage can be served during the regular opening time until 11 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 consumption of the alcoholic beverage in food or beverage outlets located in high surveillance areas that have been relaxed for the operation must be in line with the regulation stipulated in the clause 3.

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 would like to adjust their establishments into the venues providing food and drinks, they can request permission to perform the operation by complying with the conditions in clause 4 of the Regulation No. 41 dated 8 January 2022.

5. Adjustment of the 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 1 February 2022. The details are as follows:

1) 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. Type (1) travellers and type (2) travellers are allowed to register to enter the country and type (2) travellers are allowed to register to travel to Chonburi Province (only Bang Lamung District, Pattaya City, Si Racha District, Sattahip District (only Na Chom Thian Tambon and Bang Sare Tambon) and Trat Province (only Koh Chang).

2) Type (1) travellers, 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, must provide the required documents for entering Thailand and undergo COVID-19 tests using RT-PCR technique, under the following conditions:

2.1 In case the travellers are staying in the country for less than 5 days, they must have the proof of the payment for accommodations or government-designated quarantine facilities for the first day of arrival, and the proof of the payment for one COVID-19 RT-PCR test. The accommodation or government-designated quarantine facilities must be in partnership with certified hospitals under the government-designated principles and 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. Travellers also must show the outbound air ticket stating day of departure if they travel by planes.

2.2 In case the travellers are staying in the country for more than 5 days, they must have the proof of the payment for accommodations or government-designated quarantine facilities for the first day of arrival and the fifth day of their stay, and the proof of the payment for two COVID-19 RT-PCR tests. The accommodation or government-designated quarantine facilities must be in partnership with certified hospitals under the government-designated principles and 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. Travellers must undergo the first COVID-19 test using RT-PCR technique on day 1 and the second test on day 5 of their stay, or whenever the respiratory symptoms are present. The test must be in line with the Ministry of Public Health’s criteria and guidelines.

3) The disease preventive measures are adjusted for type (2) travellers which 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. Travellers who enter the country in Krabi, Phuket, Phang Nga, and Surat Thani (only Koh Tao, Koh Pha-Ngan and Koh Samui), Chonburi (only Bang Lamung District, Pattaya City, Si Racha District, Sattahip District (only Na Chom Thian Sub-district and Bang Sare Sub-district) and Trat (only Koh Chang), 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 or government-designated quarantine facilities must be in partnership with certified hospitals under the government-designated principles and 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. However, in case the travellers are staying in the sandbox areas for less than 5 days, they must have the proof of the payment for one COVID-19 RT-PCR test. In case the travellers are staying in the sandbox areas for less than 7 days, they must have the proof of the payment for accommodations or government-designated quarantine facilities for the duration of their stay. Travellers also must show the outbound air ticket stating day of departure if they travel by planes.

3.2 The accommodation or government-designated quarantine facilities that are in partnership with certified hospitals under the government-designated principles must provide the second COVID-19 test using RT-PCR technique on day 5 or 6 of the travellers’ stay, or whenever the respiratory symptoms are present. The test must be in line with the Ministry of Public Health’s criteria and guidelines.

3.3 If the result from the first COVID-19 test using RT-PCR technique is negative, the travellers can travel in sandbox areas between Krabi, Phuket, Pang Nga, Surat Thani (only Koh Tao, Koh Pa-Ngan, Koh Samui) and they can make no more than 3 accommodations transfers. They have to stay in the accommodations or government-designated quarantine facilities only.

4) The travellers must strictly comply with other control measures from the previous announcements. The accommodations or government-designated quarantine facilities must detect and supervise the accommodation’s admission and the arrival and departure of the travellers. This must be in line with the government’s criteria and guidelines.

5) 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.

More information about entering Thailand

https://tp.consular.go.th/

https://tp.consular.go.th/en/plan

References

http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2565/E/016/T_0062.PDF (TH Version)

http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2565/E/016/T_0065.PDF (TH Version)

http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2565/E/021/T_0018.PDF (TH Version)

https://www.facebook.com/thailandprd/posts/5078923915464315

https://www.facebook.com/thailandprd/posts/5051200198236687

https://www.facebook.com/thailandprd/posts/5101034933253213

https://www.facebook.com/thailandprd/posts/5082679848422055

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