Thailand News - Corona - By Ola J.

fredag 7 januari 2022

Press Release: Thailand reopens 3 more Sandbox destinations from 11 January 2022 - The following is a press release from The Tourism Authority of Thailand. The statements within are their own. The Pattaya News

Press Release: Thailand reopens 3 more Sandbox destinations from 11 January 2022

Friday, 7 January 2022, 17:50

The following is a press release from The Tourism Authority of Thailand. The statements within are their own.

Bangkok, 07 January, 2022 – Thailand's Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) today approved a new round of relaxed entry measures for international arrivals to Thailand, reopening 3 more Sandbox destinations – Krabi, Phang-Nga, and Surat Thani (only Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao) from 11 January, 2022 – in addition to Phuket.

Sandbox entry programme available at 4 destinations

From 11 January, 2022, international travellers will be able to travel to Thailand under the Sandbox programme, and can choose to undergo their mandatory 7-day stay in either Krabi, Phang-Na, Phuket, or Surat Thani (only Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao).

However, all travellers must make sure that they arrange everything in order before applying for the Sandbox Thailand Pass. This can include, but not limited to, a vaccination certificate, a pre-arrival negative RT-PCR test result, prepaid 7-night's accommodation in an approved hotel, prepaid RT-PCR tests for when in Thailand, and an insurance policy with coverage no less than US$50,000.

Travellers must stay at least the first 7 nights within a Sandbox destination if planning to continue the journey to other destinations in Thailand. If staying less than 7 nights, the traveller must leave Thailand to another country immediately.

Lifting of travel restrictions on arrivals from African countries

Also from 11 January, 2022, the CCSA approved the lifting of travel restrictions on arrivals from African countries.

This means travellers from Africa will be allowed to apply for the Thailand Pass under either the Sandbox programme or the Alternative Quarantine system.

New TEST & GO Thailand Pass applications remain suspended until further notice

The CCSA also approved the measure to maintain temporary suspension of the Thailand Pass system for new registrations under the Exemption from Quarantine (TEST & GO).

Entry measures for travellers who have obtained their Thailand Pass QR code before 22 December, 2021, with scheduled arrival dates in Thailand from 24 December, 2021, onwards, are currently under review by the CCSA. The TAT Newsroom will be providing an update via www.tatnews.org as soon as the official information becomes available.

Alternatively, travellers who are currently planning to enter Thailand can apply for the Thailand Pass under either the Sandbox programme or the Alternative Quarantine system.

Thailand's 26 "Blue Zone" provinces remain in place

The CCSA also approved the measure to maintain the designation of 26 "Blue Zone" provinces with pilot tourist destinations. However, stringent health and safety guidelines will be introduced.

Currently, the "Blue Zone" destinations are:

Central Region: Bangkok, and Ayutthaya (Mueang district only), Kanchanaburi, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phetchaburi (Cha-Am district only), Prachuap Khiri Khan (Mueang, Hua Hin, and Nong Kae districts only), and Samut Prakan (Suvarnabhumi Airport only).

Eastern Region: Chanthaburi (only for Mueang and Tha Mai districts), Chon Buri (only for Bang Lamung, Ko Si Chang, Pattaya, and Si Racha districts, and only Bang Sarey and Na Jomtien subdistricts in Sattahip district), Rayong (only for Ko Samet), and Trat (only for Ko Chang and Ko Kut districts).

Northern Region: Chiang Mai (Mueang, Chom Thong, Doi Tao, Mae Rim, and Mae Taeng districts only) and Chiang Rai (Mueang, Chiang Khong, Chiang Saen, Mae Chan, Mae Fah Luang, Mae Sai, Phan, Thoeng, Wiang Kaen, and Wiang Pa Pao districts only).

Northeastern Region: Buri Ram (Mueang district only), Khon Kaen (Mueang, Khao Suan Kwang, Poei Noi, Phon, Phu Wiang, and Ubolratana districts only), Loei (Chiang Khan district only), Nakhon Ratchasima (Mueang, Chaloem Phra Kiat, Chok Chai, Pak Chong, Phimai, Sikhio, and Wang Nam Khiao districts), Nong Khai (Mueang, Si Chiang Mai and Tha Bo districts only), Surin (Mueang and Tha Tum districts only), and Udon Thani (Mueang, Ban Dung, Kumphawapi, Na Yung, Prachaksilpakhom, and Nong Han districts only).

Southern Region: Krabi, Phang-Nga, Phuket, Ranong (Ko Phayam only), and Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao only).

For more information on entry into Thailand schemes, please visit: https://www.tatnews.org/thailand-reopening/

Test & Go. What is the cut off date ? Richard Barrow

** There is NO final cut-off date for Test & Go applicants to arrive in Thailand. This is still to be decided **

There has been a lot of confusion about the future of the Test & Go scheme. For sure we know the suspension of new registrations will continue to at least the end of this month. But what is the fate of the thousands who successfully applied for it and are due to arrive this month? Well, according to Khun Natapanu, the deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who spoke during the press briefing, he said that a final decision hadn't been made yet. A senior TAT executive also said that a cut-off date hadn't been decided yet.

However, the Thai media took the 15th January date on the graphics as the final decision and ran with this story. But which story is correct?

So, I decided to ask the Director General of the Department of Information at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He told me that NO final cut off date has been decided yet. However, approved Test and Go registrants will be able to enter until 15th January. They will then reassess the situation over the next few days and will let us know about what will happen to people who are due to arrive after this date. Hopefully they can enter soon as there are only 4,900 people due to arrive in the last two weeks of this month.

The following is his official statement.

###

Mr. Tanee Sangrat, Director-General of the Department of Information and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shared the following information regarding adjustments to the measures for entry into Thailand, as confirmed at the meeting held today (7 January 2022) by the Center for COVID Situation Administration (CCSA), namely:

The meeting agreed today, to maintain suspension of registration for Thailand Pass for additional international travelers intending to apply for the Test and Go scheme until further notice. But for those who have already received approvals and their QR Code under the Test and Go scheme before this time, are allowed to enter under previous conditions up until 15 January 2022. For those who have received approvals and a QR code for the Test and Go scheme prior to today and have plans to travel after 15 January 2022, their approvals/status will be evaluated once again.

For those traveling into Thailand through the Sandbox scheme (remaining within the Sandbox area for a total of 7 days) or those who will undergo Alternative Quarantine (7 days for those with a complete dosage of vaccinations and 10 days for those who have not yet received the complete dosage of vaccinations), they are still able to register and enter Thailand under those conditions.

Other than that, from 11 January 2022 onwards, new applications for international travelers entering through the Sandbox scheme will be accepted for three additional Sandbox areas (beyond Phuket), namely Surat Thani Province (Koh Samui, Koh Pha-ngan and Koh Tao), Krabi Province and Pang Nga Province, which have a high level of preparedness in terms of provincial management and public health measures, which will allow access to other areas and also help promote provincial island tourism.

For international travelers from Africa for which there are stricter entry requirements into Thailand, from 11 January 2022 onwards, Thailand will lift the designation of African countries as risky (this includes the previous restriction of international travelers from 8 specific African countries) and allow international travelers from Africa to enter Thailand under the same regular conditions as international travelers from all other continents. Currently, many countries all over the world have also lifted heightened travel restrictions for international travelers from Africa.

Mr. Tanee confirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the related ministries have discussed and given thorough consideration to these adjustments, bearing in mind all of the important factors, from the domestic and international COVID-19 situation to public health readiness to the need to relax measures to boost economic activity. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will communicate any further adjustments to the public promptly and in due course.

69 provinces now "orange" zones with ban on alcohol sales at restaurants | Thaiger

69 provinces now "orange" zones with ban on alcohol sales at restaurants

Caitlin Ashworth

Friday, January 7, 2022 14:24

Restrictions are tightening in a number of provinces. Thailand's Covid-19 task force revised its colour-coded zoning based on local infection rates and decided to classify 69 of Thailand's 77 provinces as "orange" zones under tight control to curb the spread of Covid-19. The new zoning goes into effect on Sunday.

The other provinces will remain classified as "blue" zone provinces, which are approved for pilot tourism programmes, are remaining the same. Blue zones include Bangkok, Chon Buri, Kanchanaburi, Krabi, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phang Nga, and Phuket.

Alcohol sales at restaurants in "orange" zones are prohibited while in "blue" zones restaurants can serve booze until 9pm each night. To serve alcohol, those "blue" zone restaurants must abide by the government's "Covid Free Settings" measures and be certified under SHA+ standards.

69 provinces now "orange" zones with ban on alcohol sales at restaurants | News by Thaiger

BREAKING !!! PBS World

BREAKING: #Thailand's CCSA today (Friday) adjusted #COVID19 zoning, maintaining the same measures in 8 "sandbox" provinces, while the remaining 69 provinces will be in the "orange" or "controlled" zone from Sunday Jan 9. Eateries in #Thailand's "sandbox" areas can still serve alcohol until 9pm. Pubs and bars are to remain closed beyond the initially planned reopening on Jan 16, but if they open as "eateries" they can serve alcohol. Applications for #Thailand Pass, for entry under the "Test and Go" scheme, will remain suspended until further notice. Those with passes already granted can enter the country till Jan 15. Entry ban from 8 African countries to be lifted from Jan 11. #ThailandNews

IDAG ÄR BANGSAEN MED BLAND DETALJINFO. The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 1,342 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with no new deaths, January 7th, 2022. Pattaya News

Chonburi, led by Banglamung with 712, announces 1,342 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 and no new deaths

Friday, 7 January 2022, 10:47

Highlights:

1,342 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi today
134 people recovered and were released from medical care
No new deaths

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 1,342 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with no new deaths, January 7th, 2022.

This makes a total of 117,246 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 5,376 people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 794 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April.

Additionally, 134 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 111,076 people in total have now been released from medical care and recovered in Chonburi since this current wave of Covid-19 began.

Two people were listed as being in serious condition in Chonburi currently, either on a ventilator or pneumonia. Both of them have completed double doses of Covid -19 vaccine. According to the Chonburi Department of Public Health, the vast majority of recent cases are mild or asymptomatic.

In total, 1,916,155 people in Pattaya and Chonburi have received their first dose of a Covid -19 vaccine which is 82.27 percent of the total Chonburi population. Of those, 298,663 have received their first dose and are what the Thai government calls 608 groups (elders, have chronic health problems, and pregnant) which is 80.73 percent of those in these risk groups in Chonburi.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi 207, Si Racha 265, Banglamung (Pattaya) 712, Panat Nikhom 12, Sattahip 49 (in navy area 4), Ban Bueng 11, Phan Thong 28, Bor Thong 4, Ko Chan 1, Nong Yai 5, and 48 people transferred from other provinces for medical care.

The details on the cases are as follows:

Work and stayed in Rayong, transferred from other provinces for medical care, 40 cases
Active case finding at restaurants that sell alcohol in Pattaya and Banglamung, 103 cases
Cluster, Ang Thong Building company in Banglamung, 4 cases
Active case finding at restaurants that sell alcohol in Bang Saen and Wonnapa Beach in Mueang Chonburi, 54 cases
Active case finding in students at Burapha University in Mueang Chonburi (staffers and customers at restaurants that sell alcohol), 27 cases
Cluster, LHAO HENG (restaurant selling alcohol) in Mueang Chonburi, 7 cases
Cluster, Mino company in Mueang Chonburi, 4 cases
Cluster, Cool Club in Si Racha, 12 cases
Cluster students at Kasetsart University in Si Racha, 12 cases
Cluster, Kerry Siam Seaport company in Si Racha, 3 cases
Risky occupations meeting many people, 40 cases
34 medical personnel
Back from other provinces in

Bangkok, 8 cases
Ubon Thani, 5 cases
Chiang Mai, 4 cases
Khon Kaen, 3 cases
Sakhon Nakhon, 3 cases
Kalasin, 2 cases
Nakhon Si Thammarat, 1 case
Chanthaburi, 1 case
Chumphon, 1 case
Chiang Rai, 1 case
Trat, 1 case
Nakhon Nayok, 1 case
Nakhon Ratchasima, 1 case
Bueng Kan, 1 case
Buriram, 1 case
Phuket, 1 case
Mahasarakham, 1 case
Roi-Et, 1 case
Sisaket, 1 case
Songkhla, 1 case
Surin, 1 case
Nong Khai, 1 case

14. Close contacts from previously confirmed cases in families – 175 cases, in workplaces – 172 cases, close personal contacts – 57 cases, and joined a party – 168 cases

15. Close contacts of a confirmed patient (under investigation), 63 cases

16. 327 cases close contacts of a confirmed patient (under investigation)

Calling Omicron 'mild' a mistake, says WHO. The Omicron variant of Covid-19 is killing people across the globe and should not be dismissed as mild, the World Health Organization warned on Thursday. Bangkok Post

Calling Omicron 'mild' a mistake, says WHO

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the Omicron variant is killing people and overwhelming hospitals.

GENEVA: The Omicron variant of Covid-19 is killing people across the globe and should not be dismissed as mild, the World Health Organization warned on Thursday.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the record numbers of people catching the new variant -- which is rapidly out-competing the previously-dominant Delta variant in many countries -- meant hospitals were being overwhelmed.

"While Omicron does appear to be less severe compared to Delta, especially in those vaccinated, it does not mean it should be categorised as mild," Tedros told a press conference.

"Just like previous variants, Omicron is hospitalising people and it is killing people," he explained.

"In fact, the tsunami of cases is so huge and quick, that it is overwhelming health systems around the world."

Just under 9.5 million new Covid-19 cases were reported to the WHO last week -- a record, up 71 percent on the week before.

But even this was an underestimate, Tedros said, as it did not reflect the backlog of testing around the Christmas-New Year holidays, positive self-tests not registered, and overburdened surveillance systems missing cases.

- Targets falling short -

Tedros used his first speech of 2022 to slam the way rich nations hogged available vaccine doses last year, saying it had created the perfect breeding ground for the emergence of virus variants.

He therefore urged the world to share out vaccine doses more fairly in 2022, to end the "death and destruction" of Covid-19.

Tedros wanted every country to have 10 percent of their population vaccinated by the end of September 2021 and 40 percent by the end of December.

Ninety-two of the WHO's 194 member states missed the target set for the end of 2021 -- indeed 36 of them had not even jabbed the first 10 percent, largely due to being unable to access doses.

Tedros wants 70 percent jabbed in every country by mid-2022.

On the current pace of vaccine roll-out, 109 countries will miss that target.

"Vaccine inequity is a killer of people and jobs and it undermines a global economic recovery," said Tedros.

"Booster after booster in a small number of countries will not end a pandemic while billions remain completely unprotected."

- Omicron not the end -

The WHO's Covid-19 technical lead Maria Van Kerkhove said it was "very unlikely" that Omicron would be the last variant of concern before the pandemic is over.

In facing the more transmissible Omicron variant, Van Kerkhove urged people to step up the measures they were already taking to protect themselves against the virus.

"Do everything that we have been advising better, more comprehensively, more purposefully," she said.

"We need people to hang in there and really fight."

Van Kerkhove added that she was stunned by how sloppily some people were wearing facemasks.

"It needs to cover your nose and mouth... wearing a mask below your chin is useless," she said.

Looking ahead to this year, Bruce Aylward, the WHO's frontman on accessing coronavirus tools, added that there was "no need to finish 2022 in a pandemic".

But WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan said that without vaccine equity, "we will be sitting here at the end of 2022 having somewhat the same conversation, which, in itself, would be a great tragedy".

Thailand News - Corona - By Ola J. - Palmtree