Thailand Takes a Middle Path to Manage Omicron Surge

Thailand has been forced to suspend its Test and Go quarantine waiver scheme for foreign tourists because of its rising number of Covid-19 cases.

But it has taken what could be called a Buddhist approach – a middle path – trying to balance precaution, because of a higher caseload of infections, with the dire need to give the economy a bigger injection of tourism revenue.

So, while the Test & Go scheme has been deferred, and provincial officials and health workers have been told to brace for a possible surge in Omicron infections, government officials have also recognized the importance of not closing the door on foreign guests.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha, opted at a meeting on Friday to expand its Sandbox scheme from Tuesday January 11, and allow international travellers to fly into several more destinations in the country’s south.

Visitors will be able to fly into Krabi, Surat Thani (to the islands Koh Samui, Koh Pha-ngan and Koh Tao), or Phuket, provided they undergo a seven-day stay.

Travellers will need to meet various other criteria, such as having having a vaccination certificate, a negative RT-PCR test result (pre-arrival), pre-paid seven night’s accommodation at an approved hotel, a pre-paid RT-PCR test for when they arrive, plus an insurance policy with coverage of at least US$50,000.

Once they stay a week in the Sandbox destination they can journey to other places. But if they stay less than seven nights, they must leave the country.

Tourists can still go to eight provinces, although access to the remaining 69 other provinces is currently on hold.

The expansion of the Sandbox scheme, which was started initially just in Phuket, has been welcomed by people in nearby provinces, but hotel owners in Bangkok and Pattaya are now clamouring for the same arrangement.

Pubs, Nightlife Must Shut

Meanwhile, preparations are being made in Bangkok and other provinces in the event of the country suffering a widespread outbreak. The air force has opened a field hospital at Don Muang in the capital and officials in Bangkok say centres are being set up for people who cannot ‘isolate’ at home.

Three field hospitals have also been set up in Khon Kaen, a major centre in the northeast.

The military are closely monitoring the 2,400km-long western border with Myanmar for migrants sneaking into the country who could have Covid, and they will also help police ensure that new restrictions are adhered to.

While alcohol will be available at some restaurants, hotels and convenience stores in the areas open to tourists, it has been banned in most other areas from Sunday January 9, officials said.

Night entertainment venues such as pubs and karaoke parlours have been told to remain closed, because many managers or staff failed to comply with restrictions when they were previously announced, they said.

But these places can seek permission from local authorities to operate as restaurants instead.

Meanwhile, workplaces have been advised to get employees to work from home for the rest of this month.

Just over 26,400 visitors have arrived this month through the Test & Go scheme, which was suspended days before Christmas, while a further 10,000 registered but could arrive over the next couple of days, officials said.

Vaccination Numbers Rising

Health officials on Saturday announced a further 8,263 cases and 14 more deaths. That brought the total number of cases to 2.26 million since early 2020, while the overall death toll is now 21,813.

Some 71.4% of the population has received one vaccine dose, while 64.8% have received two shots. A further 10.8% have received a third ‘booster’ jab.

The country is also is preparing to give Covid vaccines to young children from next month.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be given to children between the ages of five and 11 at schools or hospitals, but a government spokesman said on Saturday it is a voluntary scheme that parents and their children can decide upon.

• Jim Pollard

This report was updated on Sunday January 9, 2021.