Thailand Shortens Quarantine, Issues Vaccine Certificate

The Thai Royal Government has officially allowed the issuance of COVID-19 vaccine certificates for locals who have already received the vaccine as well as tourists who have been inoculated against the virus in their home countries.

At the same time, the government has also made official the reduction in quarantine length, from 14 days to 7 days as part of the reopening scheme for foreign tourism.

These guidelines were published on Thursday by the National Communicable Disease Committee in the Royal Thai Government Gazette. In the publication, the government outlines the terms and conditions that govern the issuance of the vaccination certificate, which is intended for people who have received their requisite two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Not all people who have been vaccinated will be receiving the certification. The publication states that the vaccine received must have received the Kingdom’s Ministry of Public Health, or the World health Organization. So far, only the following vaccines are recognized for the certificate:

• CoronoVac by China’s Sinovac Biotech
• AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine, including the locally produced version by Siam Bioscience
• Tozinameran vaccine by Pfizer/BioNTech
• Covishield by the Serum Institute of India
• COV2.S by Johnson & Johnson
• Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine

International arrivals who have been vaccinated with the abovementioned vaccines at least 14 days before the date of arrival into the Kingdom will be quarantined only for 7 days.

However, their country of origin must not have a record of infection by any of the mutated strains of COVID-19. In addition, foreigners coming from any of these 11 countries are also required to undergo the 14 day quarantine:

• Botswana
• Ghana
• Kenya
• Mozambique
• Rwanda
• South Africa
• Tanzania
• Zimbabwe
• Zambia
• Cameroon
• Congo

Arrivals must also fall into one of the 11 groups of people that are allowed to enter Thailand, as the country has not yet fully reopened for foreign tourism. These groups include:

• Thai nationals returning home
• People with official trips pertaining to matters of state
• Government representatives invited by the Prime Minister
• People who convey necessary items into the Kingdom, and must return immediately
• People with missions into the Kingdom, with a specific date of return
• Foreigners that are dependents of Thai nationals
• Foreigners who are residents of Thailand
• Foreigners and their families who hold work permits in the Kingdom
• Foreign students enrolled in educational institutions recognized by the Royal Thai government
• Medical tourists, except those with COVID-19 infections
• Foreigners who are given permission to enter the Kingdom under special circumstances

International arrivals who are unable to present a vaccination certificate are also required to undergo quarantine. However, said quarantine is shortened to 10 days instead of the mandated 14 days.

Documentary requirements for entering the Kingdom remain in place. Arrivals must be able to present the following papers upon arrival:

• Valid visa or re-entry permit
• Proof of insurance coverage against COVID-19, valuing at least US$100,000
• Confirmation of Alternate State Quarantine booking
• Medical certificate with negative results for COVID-19, issued no more than 72 hours before departure date

Source:
TATNews