Thailand To Declare Covid Endemic In Major Tourist Hotspots Including Phuket

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Last update time 2 months ago

Once one of the countries with the strictest epidemic management in the world, Thailand proposes to declare Covid endemic in three major tourist hotspots. Soon, tourists can enjoy more freedom Phuket, SuMei Island and Koh Changahead of a broader relaxation of rules already scheduled for later this year.

The measure was announced by the Ministry of Public Health itself, reinforcing rumors that so-called “endemic sandboxes” would soon become a reality. Throughout the crisis, the ministry has supported multiple restrictive measures that effectively bar most tourists from entering Thailand.

The announcement marks drastic change in approach For the Ministry of Health, as health officials seem finally willing to support reopening efforts:

Thailand’s top 3 islands are first to join local sandbox program

According to the Bangkok Post, the Ministry of Public Health will propose a “local sandbox” initiative in the coming days.Essentially, the new state, dubbed endemic sandbox, will apply to specific destinations within Thailand where the pandemic is trending enough for the virus to be declared endemic, and no longer destructive.

So far, three potential candidates have been nominated, including Phuket, Thailand’s most popular island with a concentration of beaches and natural attractions. Becoming a local sandbox is sure to change the cityscape of Phuket City, the capital of Phuket and a city that has been heavily restricted from the start.

It will allow nighttime entertainment venues to reopen with few restrictions, and other social restrictions, such as social distancing, will eventually be lifted. Offering perhaps the liveliest nightlife in Thailand, and thus one of the most popular destinations in the country, Phuket City would greatly benefit from being chosen as a local sandbox.

Two other islands are also being sought after by the Ministry of Public Health, promising endemic sandboxes: Koh Samui, Thailand’s second-largest island, and part of Surat Thani, and the aptly named Koh Chang. Just like Phuket, these two very popular destinations have also been grappling with dwindling tourist numbers since Covid.

Koh Samui once attracted millions of foreign tourists before the pandemic prompted Thailand to build defenses on its outer borders.With rainforests, luxury resorts and Gateway to the iconic Big Buddhalocated on a small island connected to its mainland, it’s no wonder the island is a strong endemic sandbox contender.

In turn, Koh Chang is popular with hikers and solo adventurers. Its most famous landmarks include the small village of Bang Bao, a traditional Thai settlement built on a pier, and Hat Tha Nam, Paradise Beach Featuring Backpacker Party SceneBy earning an endemic sandbox badge, Koh Chang can reclaim its status as one of Thailand’s leading tourist destinations.

Does this mean there will be no restrictions in Phuket?

On May 12, Kiattiphum Wongrajit, Permanent Secretary to Thailand’s Minister of Public Health, gave the green light for entertainment venues in Phuket, Koh Samui and Koh Chang to officially resume activities. Now, Nightclubs and other similar establishments Thailand’s three major tourist islands No longer required to operate as a part-time restaurant to avoid a complete shutdown.

On top of that, Wongrajit confirmed his intention to further ease social restrictions in the three destinations: in addition to already allowing entertainment venues to return to normal, he will seek approval from the CCSA (Centre for Covid-19 Situation Management) to implement new “Local Sandbox” program.

If the CCSA agrees to the plan at its next meeting scheduled for May 20, The three islands will be 1st in Thailand Declaring Covid an endemic virus. Other islands could follow suit ahead of a broader reopening in July, as long as they meet the expected criteria:

• Infections trend down
• health care readiness
• High vaccination levels in the general population

As Wongrajit puts it, Phuket, Koh Samui and Koh Chang all seem to meet these requirements:’We first selected the islands as the top tourist destinations in the country because of their limited size where disease control is easy‘.

However, unlike Mexico, where Covid is also starting to be seen as endemic, Thailand’s proposed local sandbox doesn’t mean complete lifting of restrictionsIn fact, the Thai authorities have an arguably unorthodox notion of what “endemic” means, and stick to their conservatism when announcing the plan.

Nightclubs can indeed reopen in local sandboxes, but with some restrictions, according to the Bangkok Post. Customers still need to provide vaccine certificatesand people with underlying health conditions will be urged to avoid these establishments entirely.

Measures currently applied to public transport, including wearing masks, will remain in place even after an island is included in the “popular” club. These are proof that endemic status can mean anything from zero Covid measures to looser restrictions, depending on the country.

How far has Thailand’s reopening plan actually gone?

With few exceptions, entertainment venues in Thailand have effectively been closed for the better part of two years since some of the world’s strictest measures were introduced across the country. Due to repeated virus surges in nightclubs, “gentlemen’s clubs” and other establishments that serve alcohol, Government cracks down on nightlife.

As a result, most club managers have had to reimagine their businesses, adapt to changing circumstances, and sometimes even operate as converted restaurants in order to apply for SHA+ status. Becoming a SHA+ business means more than 70 employees are fully vaccinated, in addition to complying with other health requirements.

For this reason, tourists who manage to bypass most restrictions during 2020 and 2021 may experience a completely different Thailand: A country where restrictions are the norm Its once famous, more relaxed vibe seems to be gone forever. Fortunately, Thai authorities have turned around and are now lifting some restrictions.

They are now allowing vaccinated tourists to enter without testing, and are proposing to introduce a The new ‘vaccine passport’ Let some people travel to Thailand with less bureaucracy.While the remaining restrictions may still be frustrating for some travellers, the ministry’s rhetoric and its apparent acceptance of Covid are an inevitable reality that Thailand is fully reopening – albeit at a slower pace.

read more:

Travel Insurance Covering Covid-19 in 2022

Welcome back to Thailand: 5 places you should visit in 2022

Thailand to start charging entrance fees in August

The latest changes Southeast Asia travelers need to know in May

U.S. tourists barred from Japan despite Asia reopening

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