Thailand’s COVID-19 task force has approved the reinstatement of the quarantine-free Test & Go entry program for vaccinated travelers, with new arrivals and entry clearance applications to be accepted from February 1.

The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) today approved the reinstatement of the Test & Go entry scheme for international visitors, according to CCSA Spokesman Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin. He said travelers applying for Test & Go entry clearance must pre-pay for their hotel rooms which shall include two RT-PCR tests.

Thai authorities will be working to improve the tracking system to ensure all visitors comply with the second post-arrival test requirement, with the Mor Chana contact tracing application now required to be installed on their phones.

From the meeting today, the CCSA extended the validity of the Emergency Decree for another two months, now through 31 March.

The color-coded provincial alert levels have also been adjusted, with the orange control areas now reduced to 44 provinces from 69 provinces, while the yellow alert level is applicable to 25 provinces.

Effective from 24 January, more relaxed restrictions will be applied in yellow zones, with restaurants certified with either the SHA Plus or the Thai Stop Covid 2 Plus standard allowed to sell alcohol. Restaurants in the blue special tourism areas will be able to sell alcohol until 11 pm from the current 9 pm deadline.

More tourism areas will be introduced as Sandbox areas namely Bang Lamung district of Pattaya; Si Racha, Ko Sichang, and Sattahip districts of Chon Buri; as well as Ko Chang in Trat. Visitors arriving in the Sandbox areas will be required to take RT-PCR tests on day 1 and day 5 or 6 after arrival. They will stay within the Sandbox areas for 7 days.

Source: NNT