Removal Of Pre-Departure COVID Test To Be Discussed Tomorrow

The CCSA will discuss tomorrow the possible removal of the negative RT PCR test requirement on overseas travelers before going to Thailand.

Dr. Kiattiphum Wongrajit of the Public Health Ministry said that overseas arrivals will still be required to undergo a PCR test upon arrival and a self-administered antigen test on day 5. Reducing the required insurance coverage will also be discussed at the meeting.  Insurance coverage requirements could be reduced from $20,000 to $10,000.

Under the proposed entry guidelines, Test & Go travelers are not required to provide negative PCR test results up to 72 hours before going to Thailand.

Officials have laid out a four-phase plan before declaring the Covid-19 endemic, but Kiattiphum noted that Thailand would also need confirmation from the World Health Organization before declaring the virus endemic. The plan will also be discussed at tomorrow’s CCSA are as follows:

Stage 1 will start between March 12 and early April and is referred to as the “combat” period. International arrivals must undergo a PCR test upon arrival and an antigen test on day 5. Travelers who are not vaccinated will undergo mandatory quarantine for 10 days. Thailand will remain at Stage 1 as long as more than 3% of foreign arrivals test positive.

Stage 2 will start in April and May and is referred to as the “plateau” period. Travelers who are fully vaccinated are not required to submit a negative pre-departure PCR test but will be required to do a PCR test upon arrival and an antigen test on day 5. Arrivals who are not vaccinated will be quarantined for 5 days. The country will remain on stage 2 as long as COVID infections are discovered in between 1% and 3% of international arrivals.

Stage 3 occurs between late May and June 30 and is referred to as the “declining” period. Arrivals who are fully vaccinated are not subject to any restrictions. Travelers who have not been vaccinated will be required to undergo an antigen test upon arrival. Test & Go will be abolished, although the Thailand Pass will stay. This phase will continue as long as the foreign arrival infection rate is less than 1%.

Stage 4 begins on July 1 and is referred to as the “post-pandemic” period. This is the point at which the government aims to declare COVID-19 an endemic. Regardless of vaccination status, international arrivals will be permitted to enter Thailand without restrictions.

Source: Bangkok Post

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