Thailand Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul revealed that rising Omicron cases could necessitate the return of the sandbox scheme.
Is Thailand a quarantine-free destination?
Before Charnvirakul’s comments on a television interview on Monday, entry requirements for countries not included on the ‘red list’ were relaxed. Since November 2021, the island nation had introduced the ‘Test and Go’ scheme, which was a quick and seamless alternative to the sandbox process, where international travellers only required a single negative PCR test and a night’s quarantine at a certified hotel.
However, due to the rise in Omicron cases, the public health ministry looks to escalate measures and reintroduce rigorous testing at airports as well as extended quarantine.
Charnvirakul indicated that high-level meetings with the Centre of Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) are scheduled to take place and “would be rushed to take action as quickly as possible.”
“I apologise for the new measures that will be introduced, which may disturb the celebration,” Charnvirakul said about the impact this may have on New Years’ Eve celebrations.
What is the sandbox scheme?
The sandbox scheme is a model used by Thailand to control the movements of tourists in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19. Under this scheme, travellers from low-risk countries must quarantine for seven days and produce negative PCR tests to be allowed a semblance of freedom to explore the island region.
Pre-arrival mandatory conditions include:
- obtaining a Certificate of Entry (COE);
- having a medical certificate with an RT-PCR laboratory result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected, and issued no more than 72 hours before departure;
- booking at a Phuket Sandbox Hotel, Samui Sandbox Hotel, Krabi Sandbox Hotel, or Phang-nga Sandbox Hotel. The hotel will provide you a SHABA certificate to apply for your COE;
- a full pre-payment receipt for all COVID-19 tests through Thailand PSAS. If you are staying less than seven nights, then a return flight ticket is required as well;
- you must be vaccinated 14 Days to one year before your date of arrival;
- you must have been in your departure origin country for at least 21 days;
- children under the age of 12 years old do not need to be vaccinated; and
- children between six, and 18 will need to have a Rapid Antigen Test when they arrive at the airport.
Mandatory travel insurance valued at a minimum of R800 000 ($50 000) is also required.
South Africa is still barred from entering Thailand due to fears of the ongoing spread of Omicron.