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Thailand’s reopening on November 1 will not endanger anyone, CCSA promises

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Opening tourist provinces to foreigners with one double vaccination from Nov. 1 should not endanger the local population, provided that everyone strictly follows the preventive measures against Covid-19, the spokesman for the administrative centre for the Covid19 control, the CCSA, Dr Apisamai Srirangsan.

Under the plan, visitors travelling by air from 46 countries/territories with low levels of Covid-19 infections will not be subject to the mandatory 14-day quarantine. However, they must prove that they have received both shots of an approved Covid-19 vaccine at least 14 days previously and provide a negative RT-PCR test result taken no more than 72 hours before flying.

The list of the 46 approved countries/territories is available at: https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40007828

“Please note that the governments of some countries on the list have not yet allowed their citizens to travel to Thailand,” Apisamai added. “In addition, the number of flights will be limited and closely monitored by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand [CAAT]. Airlines cannot resume their services at the same level as before the pandemic.”

As for concerns that the increase in new cases in the 17 “blue zone” counties could affect the reopening plan, Apisamai said that “the CCSA and the Department of Health will use different criteria beyond the infection rate to determine whether the areas are ready to be reopened”.

The other important factors that can influence the decision include vaccination coverage, the number of serious cases, deaths and the preparedness of the public health system.

“Only certain areas in the 17 blue zone provinces will be reopened to foreign tourists, main cities with tourist attractions,” she said.

“These areas have been carefully considered and selected by the provincial commission on communicable diseases, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and tourist associations in the province.”

When asked whether companies using the “Covid-Free Setting” can refuse to serve unvaccinated customers, Apisamai said this measure was not mandatory but was based on collaboration.

“The Covid-Free Setting, which includes maintaining social distancing, having a full vaccination and regular testing of the ATK, aims to protect both customers and employees from the virus. It can be flexible when needed, as people need time to adjust to the new normal,” she said.

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