The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has approved, but only in principle, to ease more restrictions on international arrivals, tentatively from May, according to CCSA Spokesman Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin.
The proposed relaxation, to be further discussed and pending the COVID-19 situation during and after the upcoming long Songkran holiday next week, will affect those who arrive in Thailand under “Test and Go”, “Sandbox” and “Alternative Quarantine” programs.
They include the reduction of the US$20,000 insurance coverage requirement, fewer documents required for the “Thailand Pass”, the replacement of the RT-PCR test upon arrival with rapid antigen tests, negating the need for a hotel stay to wait for the results, and a shortening of the quarantine period for infected visitors with mild symptoms.
Dr. Taweesin insisted that the proposal was only approved in principle and final approval is still needed.
Currently, one RT-PCR test is required upon arrival, followed by a self-administered antigen test on the fifth day of arrival. The pre-departure COVID-19 test requirement has been dropped.
476,000 foreign tourists entered Thailand from January to March this year, with more than 189,000 last month alone, added Dr. Taweesin, noting the upward trend.
