Six more islands to join Phuket Sandbox on Aug 1

THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2021
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Six more islands are set to open for foreign tourists on August 1 under the Phuket Sandbox scheme for quarantine-free travel.

Given the green light on Thursday were Koh Phi Phi, Koh Ngai and Koh Railay in Krabi province and Khao Lak, Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai in Phang Nga province.

The proposal to open the islands under a “7+7” format was granted in principle by a Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. The CCSA said it will review the proposal before making an official announcement.

According to the proposal, foreign tourists who stay on Phuket for seven days and test negative for Covid-19 will be free to go island hopping for seven days.

Other areas proposed for the Phuket Sandbox were rejected as only about 30 per cent of their local have been vaccinated.

The meeting also urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to speed up registration of Sputnik V vaccine to allow tourists from Russia and Europe who have had Sputnik V jabs to travel to Thailand.