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We read last week that the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has agreed to cancel the requirement for pre-departure RT-PCR tests for international arrivals, effective from April 1st. (April fools day!!)
The CCSA has decided to do away with the requirement for all travelers to Thailand, under the "Test and Go" program, to take an RT-PCR test in 72 hours before their departure, by land, air, or sea.
However, they still must take the test upon arrival and self-administer an antigen test on the 5th day of their stay in the country.
The move is part of the gradual easing of restrictions in an attempt to revive the country's vital tourism sector, although the CCSA also decided to extend the enforcement of the emergency announcement for the 17th time, from April 1st until May 31st.
Now, this may all sound fine and dandy, but a friend of mine who works on the oil rigs in South America and travels to Thailand regularly is not convinced it will encourage tourists.
He points out that they have got rid of pre-flight testing, although he could, through no fault of his own, catch a virus on the plane over and on arrival test positive.
If that is the case, he then has a huge bill while he is forced to stay in an expensive Thai hospital, and so is it worth the risk of coming here for a holiday.
Vietnam's open for tourists
Vietnam's Ministry of Health on March 15 released COVID-19 entry procedures for foreign arrivals and foreign arrivals are required to:
● Take a COVID-19 negative test using the RT-PCR method 72 hours before entering Vietnam OR a rapid Antigen test (no self-test) 24 hours before entering Vietnam. This does not apply to children under 2 years of age.
● Make a health declaration before entry and download the PC-COVID app; and
● In case a COVID-19 test is not taken prior to departure, a test will be taken within 24 hours after arriving in Vietnam. If negative, travelers can travel anywhere within Vietnam; no quarantine required.
Either way, there is a risk to tourists that their dream holiday could end up becoming a very costly quarantine.
Could there be a simpler method?
The bottom line is if Omicron is like a heavy case of influenza are the authorities being a bit heavy-handed?