Thailand to Relax Entry Rules for Vaccinated Travelers in March

On February 23, the government announced that Thailand will simplify some entry rules for foreign visitors, balancing the rise in COVID-19 cases with the necessity to revitalize its economy.

Starting March 1, 2022, fully vaccinated travelers will be required to take an RT-PCR test upon arrival and spend their first night at an authorized hotel while awaiting results, but they will no longer be required to take a second RT-PCR test or stay at a hotel on their fifth day, according to the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration.

Instead, those arriving under the 'Test & Go' program will conduct a self-administered rapid antigen test on the fifth day and must report their results via a mobile app.

The center, led by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, has also lowered the minimum health insurance coverage for COVID-19 treatment from $50,000 to $20,000 for each foreign entrant.

Spokesperson Taweesin Visanuyothin stated that the adjustments were made with the aim of stimulating the economy, even as cases of the Omicron variant continue to rise. Tourism contributes about 20 percent to Thailand's GDP.

On Wednesday, there were 21,232 new confirmed cases and 39 reported deaths, though this figure excludes many results obtained through antigen testing.

Since the onset of the pandemic in 2020, Thailand has recorded a total of 2.77 million coronavirus cases, with nearly 550,000 of these cases, or about 20 percent, occurring in the first two months of this year.

Taweesin noted that this year's death rate in relation to confirmed cases is as low as 0.19 percent, which was a key factor in the decision to relax entry restrictions. Additionally, most recent COVID-19 cases have been among local residents rather than foreign visitors.

Currently, there are 173,605 active cases, including 882 classified as serious and receiving treatment in hospitals and field facilities. Moreover, there are 21,120 cases in community isolation centers and 47,373 in home isolation documented in the public health system. Bangkok, the most affected province, will increase the number of beds available for patients with mild symptoms, as stated by Governor Aswin Kwanmuang.

Travelers who are not vaccinated can still enter Thailand if they undergo a 10-day quarantine at designated hotels.

According to Taweesin, nearly 500,000 travelers arrived in Thailand by air from the start of the year until February 21.