According to the Bangkok Post, the Ministry of Public Health said that the new SARS-CoV-2 variant could reach an average of 10,000 infections in Thailand by mid-February 2022. In the context of the complicated developments of the epidemic, the number of infections could triple every day. This has created pressure on operators and travel companies as the 2022 New Year Festival season is approaching.
Previously, on December 21, the Thailand Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) temporarily suspended the program."Test and Go".
Specifically, travelers who test negative from certain countries will no longer be exempt from quarantine as before. This program is expected to be suspended until after January 4 next year.
Mr. Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, President of the Thai Travel Agents Association, said that the industry would hardly make a profit during the New Year and Lunar New Year because of this.
"No matter what decision the government makes to fight the epidemic, we have no choice but to comply with strict regulations from health experts."
Mr Sisdivachr added that the Omicron variant is becoming an obsession for many countries around the world, so the situation for the tourism industry is "unpredictable".
However, tourism activities could be bustling again if the majority of patients infected with the new strain have milder symptoms than expected, in which case they can still join the trip after recovering.
Mr. Suthiphong Pheunphiphop, President of the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA), said the tourism situation in December remained stable because tourists approved under the "Test and Go" program in advance continued with their travel plans.
However, January and February 2022 are expected to be “gloomy” for domestic and international tourism due to the cancellation of many flights. Mr. Suthiphong added that although international visitors can still enter Thailand via the “Phuket Sandbox”, not everyone has the need to visit and stay in the province for the required seven days.
