Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry and the Public Health Ministry are set to propose for the resumption of the Test and Go Program by February 2022 to the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).
Tourism minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn mentioned that the Ministry of Public Health can control the spread after data shows that the number of new cases has decreased each day and that the Kingdom has already passed its infection rate peak. This was also aligned with Thailand’s vaccination rate which is doing well.
Anutin Charnvirakul, the Public Health Minister, also added that they want to see a balance struck between disease control and rebooting the struggling economy.
Last December, the new application for the Test and Go Program was temporarily suspended due to the Omicron variant concerns.
When Thailand temporarily suspended the Test and Go scheme, Ratchaporn Poonsawat, chairman of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, mentioned that the number of tourists visiting fell by up to 30%.
The chairman also mentioned that he talked with the Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn noting that the number of tourist arrivals might not be met. Because of this, he has suggested the government reinstate the Test and Go in the third quarter of this year.
A total of 84 hotels have agreed to offer 10% of their rooms for those tourists who have been infected with COVID-19, adding to about 3,000 hospital rooms and 2,000 alternative quarantine (AQ) rooms of the province.
Sasithorn Kittidhrakul, president of the Krabi Tourism Association, mentioned that many tourists are still asking many questions regarding the rules and restrictions after the suspension. She noted that it’s due to a lack of communication with a case in Phuket where there had been a misunderstanding in terms of the process.
200-300 visitors who spend an average of 5,000 baht are arriving in Phang-Nga daily. Before the pandemic, 80% of visitors to the province were from overseas, mostly from the UK, Germany and Scandinavian countries and 20% were Thais. After Covid-19, the numbers were reversed.
I plan to go to Thailand. How is the situation there?
It is not only in Thailand, but the whole world went to a pause. However, it is not as strict as before wherein the borders were closed and the curfew was enacted. Because of the restrictions, some destinations have fewer tourists and are not as busy as pre-pandemic days. Thailand welcomes tourists from around the world. You may enter Thailand under the Bangkok Quarantine or Phuket Sandbox programs.
How do I transfer from the airport to my hotel?
Your hotel booking package should include the transfer as it’s the government’s way to trace the tourist’s quarantine. However, there are also transfer services when you arrive at the airport.
You can contact your insurance for this. However, some insurance companies don’t offer extensions or applications for those who are already in Thailand. It’s better to directly contact your insurance provider for this matter.
What kind of insurance is allowed in the Thailand Pass application?
Any insurance that covers the expenses when you contract COVID-19 is allowed. However, based on experience AXA Sawasdee Thailand is the most popular option. Please visit: www.siam-legal.com/axa-insurance for more information.
Foreign tourists will now have a chance to apply for Thai health insurance after the Department of Health Services Support (DHSS) mentioned that Thai insurance companies will be allowed over packages to cover COVID-19 treatment for foreign tourists and expand hotel isolation for patients with mild symptoms.
One key problem among foreign tourists is that the health insurance that they bought does not cover the expenses when they are infected with COVID-19 and show mild symptoms, as explained by DHSS director-general Tares Krassanairawiwong.
“This will help foreign tourists to make faster claims for treatment expenses. It normally takes 7-10 days to claim expenses with some foreign health insurance companies,” he added.
This is also a part of the government’s move to attract more tourists. Recently, hotels were also given a green light to have “hospitels” or hotel isolation rooms.
“Treatment expenses under the hotel isolation scheme will remain at 1,000 baht per person in line with National Health Security Office regulations,” Tares added.
