Omicron forces Thailand to suspend Travel Pass

Single outbreak of Covid variant detected in early December halts quarantine-free travel scheme for fully vaccinated inbound travellers. Phuket Sandbox scheme exempt from ban

THAILAND’S quarantine-free travel for vaccinated visitors remains suspended following the discovery of the country’s first Omicron case in early December.

The Phuket Sandbox scheme is still operating for tourists to the Andaman Sea island as the tourism and hospitality industry there recovers.

Quarantine-free travel to destinations in the rest of Thailand, however, were suspended as of December 22 with no new applications for the Thailand Pass scheme being considered until the ban is lifted.

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The Thailand Pass offered hope to the kingdom’s tourism and international business events industry as Covid came under control. Fully vaccinated inbound travellers who were Covid negative could apply to bypass quarantine on arrival in Thailand.

Some 200,000 inbound travellers who have already received a Thailand Pass QR code will be allowed to enter Thailand under the existing conditions of the scheme they have registered, according to officials. However, the government has introduced measures for contact tracing and will ensure all travellers are tested twice with second testing taking place at government-designated facilities at no additional cost.

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Travellers to Thailand, except those participating in the Phuket Sandbox scheme, will now undergo seven to 10 days quarantine depending on the region they have travelled from.

Anyone who has applied for the Thailand Pass and is awaiting approval are permitted to travel to Thailand once their application is approved.




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