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ThailandThey reported their first Omicron case on December 6th and decided to change their travel policy shortly thereafter.
As of midnight on December 22, no new quarantine exemption applications under the Thailand Pass program will be considered. The government stated that this is a temporary suspension, not a permanent ban, but no date has yet been given for when the ban might be lifted.
The Thailand Pass is one of the key moves by the Southeast Asian nation to reopen tourism. Tourism is one of Thailand's biggest industries, with nearly 40 million visitors in 2019. Under the terms of the Thailand Pass, fully vaccinated individuals arriving from a low-risk country can apply to skip quarantine.
The Thailand Pass is part of a "Trial & Start Program," which began on November 1st. According to a Thai government news release, 200,000 people have applied for the pass so far. The pass includes a QR code on their phones, allowing them to travel freely throughout the country and access restaurants, attractions, shops, and other public places.
Registered and approved tourists will not be affected by the new regulations. However, if they have not yet entered Thailand, they will have to undergo two PCR tests upon arrival, one of which will be conducted at a government facility. Now, tourists arriving in Thailand – with the exception of those participating in the Phuket Sandbox program – will be quarantined for 7 to 10 days, depending on their country of origin.
Thailand has also announced it will expand its contact tracing program nationwide, but has not yet shared specific details on how it will be implemented. Those who have applied for the Thailand Pass but have not yet been approved can continue as normal after receiving a response to their application.
