VACCINATED travellers with recognised proof of having received both sets of injections will be allowed to visit the island of Phuket from July 1 without quarantine under plans announced by Thailand government officials.
Chiang Mai, Ko Samui, Krabi and Pattaya are set to follow in October after dates were approved by Thailand’s Centre for Economic Situation Administration.
Both sets of quarantine-exemption schemes are awaiting final approval from officials in charge of co-ordinating Thailand’s response to Covid-19 and regional governors.
More… Let Phuket test the new normal
Phuket will serve as a “sandbox model’ to test the lifting of mandatory quarantine if travellers can show they have received both vaccine jabs, hold a certificate showing negative test results and ha downloaded a mobile tracking app.
Travel industry leaders in Thailand have mounted campaigns to urge an easing of restrictions on travellers who have been vaccinated and proven negative for Covid with hopes of opening up starting by July.
Tourism Authority of Thailand governor, Yuthasak Supasorn, said other destinations were preparing to reduce quarantine periods for vaccinated travellers to seven days and restricted to areas around their hotels as opposed to staying in rooms for two weeks.
Phuket has been a popular destination for incentive travel and executive retreat groups until Covid forced the suspension of international travel.
