With the emergence of the Omicron variant of the virus that causes COVID-19, numerous countries have imposed travel restrictions on people who are departing from Africa. Thailand is among the countries taking this precaution.
Starting on December 1, Thailand is suspending the entries of non-Thai nationals who traveled from 8 countries in Africa. Thais may still travel from the 8 countries and enter the Kingdom, with a Facebook post of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicating that Ethiopian Airlines operate flights into Thailand every Wednesday from Addis Ababa.
Thais arriving from the 8 nations will have to enter quarantine for 14 days. They will need to register for a certificate of entry at the website https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/regis/newvirus although urgent requests may be possible through the Thai embassies in Pretoria and Maputo.
Labor Minister Suchart Chomklin said the prime minister has ordered the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to closely assist Thai workers in Africa. He said he wanted Thai workers and their families to not worry, as coordination is being made with the employers of 120 Thai workers whose contract terms were approaching the end date so the employers would still host the workers as they await their flights to Thailand. Once each worker arrives, he or she will need to enter quarantine in accordance with the stipulations of the Ministry of Public Health.
Department of Employment Director-General Pairoj Chotikasathien said there were 253 Thai workers in Africa who have officially notified the department of their travel to Africa for work purposes. 221 were in South Africa, 31 were in Mozambique and 1 was in Lesotho.
