Thailand to miss peak tourists season after revoking Test and Go - “The latest decision could lead to a sharp drop in tourist arrivals in January and possibly in the first quarter,” Ekasit Kunadirekwong of Krungsri Securities said in a note. There is a chance that the government may resume the Test and Go programme in the late first quarter or even in the second quarter, he said. Thai Enquirer



Thailand to miss peak tourists season after revoking Test and Go

December 22, 2021

The move to halt new registrations for the Test and Go programme could jeopardize Thailand's prime tourism season in the first quarter next year, analysts warned on Wednesday.

After nearly two months of reopening, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has decided to suspend all new Test and Go and Sandbox applications, except Phuket Sandbox, until further notice. 

While visitors whose applications have already been approved can still enter the country, the suspension of Test and Go registrations will require new visitors to go through a 7-day Phuket Sandbox program or alternative state quarantine.

"The latest decision could lead to a sharp drop in tourist arrivals in January and possibly in the first quarter," Ekasit Kunadirekwong of Krungsri Securities said in a note. 

There is a chance that the government may resume the Test and Go programme in the late first quarter or even in the second quarter, he said. 

The key risk in the near-term is low booster rate of mRNA vaccine to withstand the spread of the Omicron variant. Recent data shows that only 6.6 per cent of Thais have received a booster shot. 

Ekasit suggested that 120 million doses of booster shot would be sufficient to ramp up Thailand's booster vaccination rate to more than 70 per cent. 

KTB Securities analysts said the halt in the Test and Go entry will put a strain on the recovery of the struggling tourism industry even though the number of arrivals are nowhere near the pre-covid levels. 

Thailand once recorded around 40 million visitors before waves of the Covid-19 struck the vital tourism industry. This year, officials expect at least 300,000 arrivals.

"The contagious Omicron variant and its prolonged impact will likely continue to endanger the tourism sector," KTB warned.



Chonburi announces 150 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 with no new deaths - The Pattaya News

Chonburi announces 150 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 with no new deaths

Wednesday, 22 December 2021, 14:19

Highlights:

• 150 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi today

• 137 people recovered and were released from medical care

• No new deaths

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 150 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with two new deaths, December 22nd.

This makes a total of 111,140 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 1,835 people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 787 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April.

Additionally, 137 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 108,518 people in total have now been released from medical care and recovered in Chonburi since this current wave of Covid-19 began.

Three people were listed as being in serious condition in Chonburi currently, either on a ventilator or pneumonia, and one of them was not vaccinated.

In total, 1,897,721 people in Pattaya and Chonburi have received their first dose of a Covid -19 vaccine which is 81.48 percent of the total Chonburi population. Of those, 296,719 have received their first dose and are what the Thai government calls 608 groups (elders, have chronic health problems, and pregnant) which is 80.21 percent of those in these risk groups in Chonburi.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi 19, Si Racha 28, Banglamung (Pattaya) 57, Panat Nikhom 12, Sattahip 7, Ban Bueng 2, Phan Thong 11, Koh Chan 1, Nong Yai 1, and 12 people transferred from other provinces for medical care.

The details on the cases are as follows:

1. Work and stayed in Rayong, transferred from other provinces for medical care, 10 cases
2. Cluster, Ge Mao Rubber International company in Phan Thong, 6 cases
3. Cluster, Sony Technology (Thailand) Company in Mueang Chonburi, 2 cases
4. Cluster, Auto Alliance (Thailand) Company in Rayong, residing in Chonburi 2 cases
5. Risky occupations meeting many people, 1 case
6. 1 medical personnel
7. Back from other provinces in Tak – 3 cases and Ubon Ratchathani – 1 case
8. Close contacts from previously confirmed cases in families – 49 cases, in workplaces – 17 cases, close personal contacts – 6 cases, and joined a party – 2 cases
9. Close contacts of a confirmed patient (under investigation), 16 cases
10. 34 cases are under disease investigation

Vaccination update December 22nd

 

Expert warns Omicron will spread in Thailand, calls for booster jabs, mandatory quarantine for tourists. He said Omicron came into Thailand quickly because foreign travellers, especially those under the Test & Go scheme, did not undergo quarantine. It was difficult to keep Omicron at bay because the variant could be in the incubation period or travellers might be infected mid-way. Yong said Thailand must use quarantine for 7, 10, or 14 days again to prevent Omicron from spreading. The Nation

Expert virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan took to Facebook on Wednesday to warn that the Covid-19 Omicron variant will spread in Thailand, but he would like it to be as slowly as possible.

Yong said he wants public health authorities to administer the third dose of vaccine to as many people as possible because two doses are just not enough to prevent Omicron.

He said Omicron came into Thailand quickly because foreign travellers, especially those under the Test & Go scheme, did not undergo quarantine. It was difficult to keep Omicron at bay because the variant could be in the incubation period or travellers might be infected mid-way.

Yong said Thailand must use quarantine for 7, 10, or 14 days again to prevent Omicron from spreading.

He advised the government to also suspend some activities or reduce the number of people travelling during the New Year.

He said the Omicron situation will affect the economy if it is widespread.
 

Yong also wrote that Thailand must realise, just like Europe and America, that it cannot fully control the variant and some countries have had to close.

The decision will be up to administrators to find a balance between safety and the economy, the virologist wrote. They must decide as quickly as possible before Omicron spreads across Thailand, he advised.

Minister: ‘Test and Go’ may be restarted - Minister suggests that ‘Test and Go’ now paused entry regime may be restarted in the New Year Thai Examiner

Minister suggests that 'Test and Go' now paused entry regime may be restarted in the New Year

James Morris and Son Nguyen

Mixed signals from Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul and the Director of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) General Supoj Malaniyom on Tuesday about prospects for the restarting of the 'Test and Go' entry regime which officials are poised to begin reviewing on Friday. General Supoj suggested that countries may be taken off the list of 63 approved for the reopening on November 1st and that the screening process for the entry regime may be strengthened together with other changes. He also did not rule out the permanent suspension of the scheme.

There was some hope on Tuesday for foreign tourism operators as Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul suggested that a decision to cease all approvals for entry into the kingdom under the 'Test and Go' regime through the Thailand Pass system may be reviewed early in the new year. On Tuesday, a meeting of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) confirmed that the quicker entry regime has been suspended temporarily so that public health officials can test the current number of visitors and a further 90,000 who are predicted to arrive up to January 10th 2022. Minister Anutin indicated that the government may lift the suspension of 'Test and Go' on January 4th as it was reacting quickly and decisively to the current situation, an approach insisted upon by Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha on Tuesday as he confirmed the immediate cessation of Thailand Pass approvals for the quick entry 'Test and Go' regime. The PM is reported to be determined to deal with the current situation decisively and has assured the public that his government is prepared for the threat. After Tuesday's CCSA meeting at Government House chaired by General Prayut, Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul emphasised that the current suspension was a temporary one saying that officials were aware that this was the High Season for the tourism industry. The Prime Minister's Office later also insisted that this was not a closed-door to foreign tourism.

At Government House in Bangkok on Tuesday the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), the country's administrative body during the COVID-19 virus emergency chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha, decided to suspend immediately all approvals under the Thailand Pass system for both 'Test and Go' passengers from 63 approved countries and all those applying to access the kingdom under the more complicated Sandbox entry regime.

The decision came after the Prime Minister summoned scientists and public health experts to the top-level meeting as he emphasised that Thailand would move quickly in reacting to the Omicron threat in the interests of the safety of the public but would also seek to strike the right balance between public health and economic interests.

Public Health Minister: suspension may be only temporary, officials aware that this is the High Season

After the meeting, Minister of Public Health, Anutin Charnvirakul stressed that the closure of entry to tourists arriving under the fast track 'Test and Go' process may still be a temporary measure.

The situation is to be revisited on January 4th. Mr Anutin underlined that ministers and officials were cognisant of the fact that this was the High Season for the travel and hospitality industry depending on incoming foreign tourists.

The government revealed that since November 1st when the country reopened, over 200,000 people had applied for entry to the kingdom and been approved. Currently, 90,000 foreign tourists are due to arrive between now and January 10th.

All approved through the Thailand Pass system will be allowed to enter, 90,000 up to January 10th 2022

All those who were approved by the Thailand Pass process will be allowed entry into Thailand with just one night's Safety and Health Administration (SHA) Plus quarantine for an initial PCR test but on Tuesday, the top-level meeting also decided to add a second PCR Covid 19 test on the 7th day for all incoming visitors.

It is reported that the government's priority now will be monitoring the current influx of foreign tourists within the country.

Kiattiphum Wongrajit, the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Public Health, explained after the meeting that the infection rate among incoming visitors is currently running at 0.1 to 0.2% which means that the kingdom may have to deal with up to 200 more people with COVID-19 with the current rate being 25% of those thought to be carrying the Omicron variant although this may rise as the virus spreads throughout western countries even among vaccinated people.

Bad news confirmed by Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha, the closure to applications was immediate as Thailand grapples with the Omicron threat

After the meeting, the Prime Minister, General Prayut confirmed the news. 

'There will be no new approvals for the arrival schemes until the situation is reviewed on January 4th,' he confirmed.

He said the focus of officials now was on ensuring that approved passengers who are due to arrive up to January 10th are properly received and tested so that an outbreak driven by the Omicron variant can be avoided for as long as possible.

He was also more optimistic about the country's ability to deal with Omicron and in this context, he urged people in Thailand to cooperate with the rollout of third booster vaccine doses.

'Importantly, although the Omicron variant spreads fast, its symptoms are controllable and treatment is easier,' he observed.

The Prime Minister's Office was anxious to assert that this was not a closure to foreign tourism at this time but a temporary suspension. 

General Prayut himself said he did not expect Omicron to become a factor so quickly but assured the public in Thailand the government was ready to act no matter what course this current threat takes.

Travellers have 2 choices, alternative quarantine or the still open Phuket Sandbox quarantine scheme

As of now, there are only two entry options for travellers to the kingdom which apply to all incoming passengers both Thai nationals and potential foreign arrivals.

One is to submit to full alternative quarantine which could see visitors detained for up to 10 days depending on their country of origination and vaccination status and the other is to apply for entry under the Phuket Sandbox programme which remains open.

It may offer more of a holiday but only attracted 440 visitors per day to Phuket when the scheme opened on July 1st.

Rising infections, bad press and burdensome rules still real threats to the slowing Phuket Sandbox

Meanwhile, in the South, the Governor of Surat Thani province gave a press conference on Tuesday in which he confirmed that three foreign tourists on Ko Samui had tested positive for the Omicron variant and were being treated with those who came into contact with the visitors being screened. All had negative tests reported so far.

Ko Samui saw 40% to 50% occupancy this month

Wichwut Jinto said, currently, booking on the holiday islands were healthy with an occupancy rate of 40% to 50% reported up to December 16th among 2254 Safety and Health Administration (SHA) Plus licensed hotels.

He emphasised that officials were briefing the local population on the new variant so the public felt more at ease about the situation.

The Ko Samui Sandbox opened on July 15th last.

Nearly 8,000 visitors have applied and been approved for entry to the island with over 7,026 arriving from July 15th to December 19th.

The governor explained screening methods for isolating foreign tourists arriving from Suvarnabhumi Airport so that they can be tested as soon as they land on Ko Samui.

Anyone testing positive is taken to Samui Hospital.

Three foreign tourists with Omicron virus on Ko Samui, all patients are reported to be in good health

He gave details of the three cases detected so far involving Omicron.

All three are reported to be in good health despite having the new form of the disease.

One is a 34-year-old UK citizen who arrived on Ko Samui after travelling with her husband from the United Kingdom through Suvarnabhumi Airport on December 15th.

A second is a 55-year-old Belgian man who arrived through Suvarnabhumi Airport from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) via Singapore. He landed in Ko Samui on December 16th last.

On the same day, the third infected passenger, a 56-year-old Briton also arrived from the United Kingdom via Singapore.

Ronnarong Phoolpipat, the Chairman of the Tourism Association of Ko Samui revealed that the island had already seen some cancellations but these were more concerned with lockdowns occurring in countries of origin as the Omicron virus variant spreads.

Public Health minister appeared to be sending a positive message to foreign tourism businesses

After the meeting and the swift decision, the Minister of Public Health Anutin who broke the bad news on Monday underlined that this was just a pause and not a full suspension.

He insisted that foreign tourism operators should not worry too much about how long this suspension may stay in place.

He also ruled out, for now, any speculation suggesting another possible lockdown of the kingdom in response to Omicron.

He said that in early January if the government felt satisfied that the situation can be controlled, then the country's doors under the quicker entry regime may be reopened again.

Minister Anutin told reporters that the list of 63 countries eligible for the 'Test and Go' regime will not be trimmed as a part of any effort to restart the more convenient entry process which accounted for 71% of arrivals after November 1st.

CCSA chief struck a different tone however

This contrasted somewhat with a statement given by Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) chief General Supoj Malaniyom who told reporters that the list of 63 eligible countries will indeed be revised by the body as well as proposals to strengthen screening and public health measures.

General Supoj said the high-risk countries will be identified by the CCSA and that a review was to begin this Friday of the entire 'Test and Go' regime which may need to be reorganised.

He also suggested that the scheme may be shelved completely by the government if the risks to public health are considered too high at this time.

Quarantine back for travellers. Govt suspends tourist 'Test & Go' scheme. Bangkok Post

Quarantine back for travellers

International passengers arrive at Suvarnabhumi airport on Monday. The 'Test & Go' programme for those entering the kingdom is scrapped on Tuesday because of the rising number of Omicron variant cases. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)

The government has decided to temporarily suspend the entry of both Thais and foreign arrivals under the "Test & Go" scheme and restore mandatory quarantine in a bid to keep the Omicron coronavirus variant at bay.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the government would stop approving new applications for Test & Go entries -- except to the Phuket Sandbox -- from Tuesday until Jan 4, though visitors whose applications were previously approved will be allowed to enter Thailand as planned.

Speaking after chairing a meeting of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), Gen Prayut said the decision was based on fears surrounding the spread of Omicron and the safety of the general public.

New arrivals will now undergo RT-PCR testing and be quarantined for between 7-10 days, Gen Prayut said on Tuesday.

The prime minister said about 200,000 visitors had applied for entry through the Test & Go and Sandbox schemes, and about 110,000 of them had already arrived.

A further 90,000 are waiting for approval for their applications, Gen Prayut said, adding that their health conditions will be monitored after arrival.

"There will be no approval of new applications until the situation is reviewed on Jan 4," Gen Prayut said.

He said health officials had assured him that resources would be sufficient and health personnel capable of handling any Omicron outbreak that might result from those whose arrivals have already been approved.

"Importantly, although the Omicron variant spreads fast, its symptoms are controllable and treatment is easier," Gen Prayut said.

With the suspension of the Test & Go scheme, Thais abroad who applied for entry as of Tuesday will also be quarantined, he said.

The entry scheme applies to visitors from specific countries. All arrivals must be fully vaccinated and test negative for Covid-19 shortly before entering the country. Test & Go tourists must also stay one night at an SHA Plus or AQ hotel to receive an RT-PCR test and wait for the result.

In addition to the decision to suspend the Test & Go programme, the CCSA did not resolve to make any other changes related to entry regulations on Tuesday, Gen Prayut said, adding that that New Year festivities will still be allowed to take place.

Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said that visitors who have already applied for the Test & Go scheme will undergo two RT-PCR tests upon arrival and their health conditions will be monitored.

"Thais who plan to go abroad will also be asked to delay or cancel unnecessary trips, particularly to Europe, the US, Africa, and the Middle East," Mr Thanakorn said.

He insisted that the government has no plan to stop tourist arrivals, but had only suspended new applications under the Test & Go scheme while the Phuket Sandbox scheme will continue under stricter measures.

Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that more than 60 cases of Omicron in Thailand have been detected, and another 97 cases are pending confirmation.

As for Thais overseas who already applied for entry and are waiting for approval, Mr Anutin said that once their applications are approved, they will be allowed to enter under the revised Test & Go scheme.

Bhummikitti Raktaengam, president of the Phuket Tourist Association, said that tourism operators in Phuket do not want the government to bring back a mandatory quarantine for tourists again.

They insisted that the sandbox scheme should continue as the island province is still capable of welcoming foreign visitors, he said, adding that the scheme had a model for reopenings in several other countries.

Phuket has seen about 3,000 foreign arrivals per day under the Test & Go scheme since the reopening on Nov 1 and some 4,487 were logged on Dec 18, he said.

Bangkok Post highlights 22/12



🔴 #COVID19 update on Wednesday: ⬆️ 2,532 new cases ⬆️ 788 probable cases (ATK) ⬇️ 31 deaths. Richard Barrow



🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭This is an URGENT dispatch with OFFICIAL updates about Test and Go as sent to me by the Consular Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Full Details about Suspension of Test and Go Richard Barrow 🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭

Richard Barrow's Letters from Thailand @richardbarrow

This is an urgent dispatch with official updates about Test and Go as sent to me by the Consular Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

As you probably have heard by now, the prime minister announced this afternoon the suspension of the Test and Go scheme. Unfortunately, there has been a lot of misinformation about this which has led to much confusion. A senior official at the Consular Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs just called me to set the record straight about what is really happening. But first I will paste below their official announcement. Then I will add my own notes from the telephone call.

Announcement

Thailand Pass will be closed for all new Test and Go and Sandbox applications (except Phuket Sandbox), starting from 00.00 hrs. on 22 December 2021 until further notice. New measures apply for all applicants on Thailand Pass, as follows;  Applicants who have received their Thailand Pass QR Code can enter Thailand under the scheme they have registered. Applicants who have registered, but have not received their QR Code must wait for their Thailand Pass to be considered / approved. Once approved, they can enter Thailand under the scheme they have registered. New applicants will not be able to register for Test and Go and Sandbox measures (except Phuket Sandbox). Thailand Pass will only accept new applicants seeking to enter Thailand under Alternative Quarantine (AQ) or Phuket Sandbox only. Passengers who will arrive in Thailand under Test and Go and Sandbox Programme must undergo their 2nd COVID-19 test using the RT-PCR technique (not ATK self-test) at government-designated facilities (no additional cost).

Thailand Pass will be closed for all new Test and Go and Sandbox applications (except Phuket Sandbox), starting from 00.00 hrs. on 22 December 2021 until further notice. New measures apply for all applicants on Thailand Pass, as follows;  1. Applicants who have received their Thailand Pass QR Code can enter Thailand under the scheme they have registered. 2. Applicants who have registered, but have not received their QR Code must wait for their Thailand Pass to be considered / approved. Once approved, they can enter Thailand under the scheme they have registered. 3. New applicants will not be able to register for Test and Go and Sandbox measures (except Phuket Sandbox). Thailand Pass will only accept new applicants seeking to enter Thailand under Alternative Quarantine (AQ) or Phuket Sandbox only. 4. Passengers who will arrive in Thailand under Test and Go and Sandbox Programme must undergo their 2nd COVID-19 test using the RT-PCR technique (not ATK self-test) at government-designated facilities (no additional cost).

Do Not Panic!

To be clear, this is NOT a closure of the borders. It is just a suspension of the Test & Go and the Blue Zone Sandbox (except for Phuket Sandbox) schemes. Everything else will continue as normal.  First the good news, if you are one of 22,000 people who have already applied for a Thailand Pass for Test & Go, Sandbox and Alternative Quarantine, your application is still being processed. If your application is approved, you will be able to come under the original conditions. This means, for Test & Go people, you only need to wait for the results for the first test and then you are free to go. No 7-day quarantine like some media outlets were saying. But you will need to do a second RT-PCR test on Day 7. More on that in a moment.  The bad news is that if your application is rejected after midnight, then you are out of luck. You will need to enter via the Phuket Sandbox or hotel quarantine schemes. Secondly, the Thailand Pass system is still open for Test & Goapplications. So, be quick as you could make it before the midnight deadline. After that time, they will no longer take applications for Test & Go and for Sandbox areas outside of Phuket. One very important piece of information that the Thai media got wrong is the cut-off date for arriving in Thailand. Basically, there isn't one. Earlier, the media were saying you must arrive before 10th January if you didn't want to do quarantine. That is not true. You can arrive on the date that was approved on your application. For example, if you said you are arriving on 25th January, then you still can use Test & Go and only wait one night for the test results. Many people were asking that if they arrived under Test & Go tomorrow, do they have to do the second RT-PCR test on Day 7. The quick answer to that is no. This is because it is not law yet. The prime minister must first sign the papers and then it must be published in the Royal Gazette. So, if it was published in the gazette on Friday, then anyone arriving on Friday onwards, must do the second test on Day 7. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this will be free. More details on this soon. So, does this mean there is no Test & Go in the future? No, that is not true as it is just temporarily suspended. In early January, they will re-evaluate the situation and there will be a new announcement.  If I have any further updates, I will post on my social media - Twitter and Facebook. Can I please ask you not to reply to this email with questions. I have already received two hundred emails today and I cannot keep up. Which is why I prefer to answer questions on social media where I can share the answers with everyone. Thanks for your understanding and good luck!