BANGKOK, Jan 18 — Thailand is considering easing some of its COVID-19 restrictions, including reinstating the quarantine-free ‘Test & Go’ programme, as infections slow.
Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the Public Health Ministry will propose to the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to reinstate the ‘Test & Go’ programme, starting next month.
“The Public Health Ministry will also propose to establish more ‘sandbox’ areas including at Chiang Mai, Chonburi and Khon Kaen provinces,” he said at a press conference here today.
Anutin added that Thailand plans to lower its COVID-19 alert level from Level 4 to Level 3 and recategorise control zone as the COVID-19 infections slow down with fewer hospitalisations and deaths recorded.
However, entertainment outlets including nightclubs, pubs and bars will remain closed, he added.
The CCSA is expected to meet on Thursday.
Starting Nov 1 last year, Thailand has opened its door to fully-vaccinated visitors from 63 countries and territories via the ‘Test & Go’ where travellers are allowed to visit other provinces once they test negative upon arrival.
The programme was, however, suspended in late December over concerns about the spread of Omicron variant in the kingdom.
Under the ‘sandbox’ programme, travellers can skip mandatory quarantine, travel freely in specific areas for seven days, and undergo two COVID-19 tests.
To date, there are four ‘sandbox’ destinations namely Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi and Koh Samui.
Over the last 24 hours, Thailand reported 6,379 new COVID-19 cases and 18 deaths, bringing the total infections in the kingdom to 2,337,811 and 21,956 fatalities.
