Phuket eases Covid-19 restrictions
Last month, the Thai government announced that Phuket will be ready to forgo the mandatory quarantine period for international arrivals on 1st July. As the Covid-19 situation progressed, the public has been questioning the timeline for the island’s reopening.
However, the announcement that Phuket is set to reduce Covid-19 restrictions come 1st June 2021 from the Tourism Tourism Authority of Thailand will hopefully assuage those worries.
More on Thailand’s reopening:
- No quarantine for international visitors from 1st July
- Thailand’s “roadmap” towards reopening
- 1,000 visitors expected to arrive in Samui
No quarantine for vaccinated visitors
The major hinderance for tourists to visit Thailand is the mandatory quarantine period. Since the recent surge in Covid-19 cases, however, locals also had to undergo a period of self-isolation when visiting other provinces. This will no longer be the case for certain tourists visiting Phuket from June 1st 2021.
Below are the groups of tourists will be exempt from undergoing self-quarantine:
- Fully vaccinated individuals
- Has received at least one dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine
- Has fully recovered from Covid-19 no longer than 90 days before the date of travel
- Has tested negative for Covid-19 using a rapid antigen test no longer than seven days before arrival
- Has tested negative for Covid-19 using the RT-PCR method no longer than seven days before arrival
- Children under the age of five years old must provide a negative Covid-19 test
Visitors arriving by air, sea and land are required to provide the necessary documentation.
Below are the documents required to enter Phuket:
- Certificate of Entry (COE) through Entry Thailand
- Covid-19 insurance that covers at least ฿3,121,000 (~USD100,000)Â
- Must download Thailand Plus app
However, those unable to provide the documents proving the above criteria arriving by water and by road via Tha Chat Chai will be required to quarantine for 14 days – they can choose between doing so at home or in a hotel.
Reopening of public venues
With the announcement of the island’s reopening to domestic tourism came a list of venues that will resume business.
Notable venues include tourism related businesses, walking streets, outdoor and indoor sport venues, public and private swimming pools, and health establishments.
Whilst businesses will reopen, the government is still placing a ban on gatherings with more than 30 attendees unless permitted by relevant authorities. Additionally, public alcohol consumption is not permitted.
Those who violate the acts can be fined up to ฿100,000 (~USD3,200) and imprisoned for up to one year.
Travelling in the New Normal
Last year, Thailand was able to resume travel in the later half of the year – it seems that the trend may continue in 2021 as well.
Whilst official restrictions may be eased, it’s still vital that we practice Covid-19 preventative measures for our own safety and that of others.
What do you think? Are you headed to the beach come 1st June?Â
Cover images adapted from: Travel Off Path
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