Royal Gazette publishes CCSA’s Test & Go announcement
The Royal Gazette website on Wednesday published an announcement by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) regarding the suspension of the Test & Go scheme under the Thailand Pass programme for foreign visitors in a bid to curb the Covid-19 Omicron variant.
The announcement, signed by CCSA chairman Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, stipulated that Thailand Pass will not accept new registrations from midnight on Wednesday (December 22) until January 4, when the CCSA will re-evaluate the situation and announce another decision.
During the suspension, foreign visitors can still enter the country under the Phuket Sandbox programme. Visitors who test negative upon arrival are required to stay in Phuket for seven days, after which they can travel to other provinces, provided they test negative via the RT-PCR method on the 5th or 6th day in Thailand.
Alternately, foreigners can choose to enter Thailand via the “alternative quarantine” channel approved by the Tourism and Sports Ministry. They will also need to take a Covid-19 RT-PCR test on the 5th or 6th day in Thailand before they can travel to other parts of the country.
The announcement also stipulated that those who have registered and been approved via Thailand Pass prior to the suspension will be allowed to enter the country, but they need to undergo two RT-PCR tests – the first on arrival and the second on the 5th or 6th day in Thailand. The test will be provided at designated public or private medical facilities and the cost will be covered by the government.