Thailand targeting seven-day quarantine for tourists

[webfact]

Thailand targeting seven-day quarantine for tourists

By The Nation

 

Kiattiphum Wongrajit, ministry permanent secretary

 

Thailand is seeking ways to shorten the 14-day quarantine for foreign tourists to attract more arrivals as the country opens up.

 

The Public Health Ministry has instructed the Disease Control Department (DCD) to plan appropriate quarantine periods.

 

Kiattiphum Wongrajit, ministry permanent secretary, said on Wednesday that the country is mulling shorter quarantine periods to encourage more foreign tourists.

 

Thailand is desperate to relaunch its tourist industry to boost an economy shrinking fast under the impact of Covid-19. The country is currently open to certain groups of Thais and foreigners (diplomats, businesspeople, etc) but all face mandatory 14-day quarantine.

 

The DCD has been tasked with estimating the effectiveness of different quarantine periods in preventing the spread of Covid-19. Given a baseline of 14 days quarantine as 100 per cent effective, the department will estimate the effectiveness of quarantine periods of 12 days, 10 days and seven days.

 

The ministry is targeting a 10-day quarantine, which it wants to propose to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration in the next two weeks.

 

The effectiveness of the shortened quarantine period will be assessed after one month. If the Covid-19 situation is still under control, it will be shortened further.

 

However, not all visitors will enjoy the same shortened quarantine. Those from high-risk countries will still be subject to 14-day quarantine, while those from low-risk countries might eventually be subject to only seven days.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30395787

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-10-08

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

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[pookondee]

All this malarky is getting like a game of snakes and ladders now.

 

The majority of other countries are not exactly thinking of tourism as the number 1 priority at this time.

 

Makes you really wonder if Thailand has been massively downplaying the % that foreigners contribute to the Thai GDP... 

be it through tourism or all the other trickle down effects of foriegn currency being injected into the country.

 

[webfact]

Public Health Ministry to ask CCSA to cut mandatory quarantine to 10 days

 

Dr. Kiartiphum Wongrachit, Public Health Permanent Secretary

 

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health will, in the next fortnight, propose to the CCSA a reduction in the mandatory quarantine period for foreign tourists from 14 to 10 days and then 7 days, in line with the COVID-19 situation in visitors’ home countries.

 

Public Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Kiartiphum Wongrachit said today the proposed reduction, to be worked out by the Diseases Control Department, would take into consideration public safety, adding that, for countries where the pandemic is widespread, the quarantine period will remain unchanged.

 

He expects the proposed change to come into effect within a month.

 

Dr. Kiartiphum said that Thailand has won worldwide recognition for its success in controlling the spread of coronavirus, with the number of total infections, to date, being about 3,600, despite the worst case scenario projected early this year, which put total infections at about 16.7 million.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/public-health-ministry-to-ask-ccsa-to-cut-mandatory-quarantine-to-10-days/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2020-10-08

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[Justgrazing]

34 minutes ago, webfact said:

 

The Public Health Ministry has instructed the Disease Control Department (DCD) to plan appropriate

backflips .. 

 

36 minutes ago, webfact said:

a baseline of 14 days quarantine as 100 per cent effective, the department will estimate the effectiveness of quarantine periods of 12 days, 10 days and seven days

They got some folk from Guinea to do this estimating stuff with ..  

[Justgrazing]

9 minutes ago, webfact said:

CCSA to cut mandatory quarantine to 10 days

try 9 that might hook a few what with 9 being extra double lucky n'all that .. 

[englishoak]

Waste only a week of an average vacation in quarantine ? naaa dont think so, ill pass and so will 99% of tourists. 

[Kadilo]

They want their cake and eat it and it ain’t gonna happen. 
 

“Tourists” are not coming for a holiday to spend a good part of it in Thaicrataz. Period. 
 

If some retirees want to come for a few months to escape the winter then possibly they may consider your rip off deal but it won’t be enough to make a difference and get your loss of tourism back on track, or kick start  empty resorts that have shutdown with the loss of jobs. 
 

So keep dithering and carrying on trying to squeeze every last baht out of those who are desperate to get back at any cost, but until you come up with a way of learning to live with and manage the virus rather than finding more ways to rip off foreigners, your problem is not gonna go away. 
 

 

[damascase]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

 

However, not all visitors will enjoy the same shortened quarantine. Those from high-risk countries will still be subject to 14-day quarantine, while those from low-risk countries might eventually be subject to only seven days.

I fail to understand this. One arrives with a recent Covid-test, is tested several times again during quarantine, so why does it matter where you come from?

At the same time they let Thai people re-patriate withoud a Covid test before the flight home.,.,.

[Kadilo]

4 minutes ago, damascase said:

I fail to understand this. One arrives with a recent Covid-test, is tested several times again during quarantine, so why does it matter where you come from?

At the same time they let Thai people re-patriate withoud a Covid test before the flight home.,.,.

Like many of their decisions it makes no sense, just more paranoia against foreigners who they perceive as a higher risk. 

[Grumpy John]

Baffling isn't it!  Not long ago the government folk say tourism is only 11% of the economy now it's almost like: sound General Quarters, all hands to your stations.....  And where are the cash handouts for the hard up Thai's?  Apparently after the first round there is no plan for a second round.  And those getting social security payments will be running out of time....starting soon.

 

Like I keep saying "The full impact of the governments actions (inaction?) will be felt by December."

[mark131v]

Aah those clever Thai experts have managed to rethink quarantine through their experience and knowledge of the virus...

 

I have a bridge I would like to sell you, good condition....

 

#<deleted>..gullible asf....

[baansgr]

23 minutes ago, Grumpy John said:

Baffling isn't it!  Not long ago the government folk say tourism is only 11% of the economy now it's almost like: sound General Quarters, all hands to your stations.....  And where are the cash handouts for the hard up Thai's?  Apparently after the first round there is no plan for a second round.  And those getting social security payments will be running out of time....starting soon.

 

Like I keep saying "The full impact of the governments actions (inaction?) will be felt by December."

The official GDP and what Thai apologists think is only around 12%. However most workers in tourism do not pay tax so are not in the Government equation. Add on all the cottage industries effected in the tourist areas plus money sent to the provinces from the workers...a fair real estimate of GDP is a conservative 30% and probably more....same for any country so heavily reliant on tourism.

[scubascuba3]

Keep an eye out for the cost of quarantine hotels to go up due to the reduced time 

[ezzra]

So with no takers for the really inciting and fun filled 2 week quarantine idea here comes out the short cut and corners rounding, if Muhammad will not come to the mountain than the mountain will go to Muhammad mentality and problem solving...

[dutchweller]

Even with  a shorter lock up in Thailand 

People are not that stupid and don't forget they will have to qarenteen on the way home so a minimum of 3 weeks to be locked up just for a holiday to Thailand. 

No chance Thailand has alot to lern and IMO will not be what it was ever again there is better places in SEA to go to.

[scorecard]

25 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Keep an eye out for the cost of quarantine hotels to go up due to the reduced time 

Sure. And what about the no. of stars of these hotels, a few are 4 star, many/most are 5 and even 6 star hotels.

 

Many many tourists come to Thailand for a cheap holiday, normally (my guess) they would stay:

 

- A very small number in 4 star hotels.

- Even less (very few) in 5 and 6 star hotels.

- Large / very large numbers in 3, 2, 1 star hotels.

 

If they have any interest at all to come to LOS for a holiday (including quarantine), it won't include quarantine in 4, 5, 6 star venues. They just won't come.

 

Therefore a need for many quarantine hotels at 3, 2, 1, star level. 

 

Not rocket science.

[steven100]

7 .... 10 .... 2  ....... 6 ... it doesn't matter,  no one will come while there's any quarantine restrictions.

 

[zoza]

12 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Sure. And what about the no. of stars of these hotels, a few are 4 star, many/most are 5 and even 6 star hotels.

 

Many many tourists come to Thailand for a cheap holiday, normally (my guess) they would stay:

 

- A very small number in 4 star hotels.

- Even less (very few) in 5 and 6 star hotels.

- Large / very large numbers in 3, 2, 1 star hotels.

 

If they have any interest at all to come to LOS for a holiday (including quarantine), it won't include quarantine in 4, 5, 6 star venues. They just won't come.

 

Therefore a need for many quarantine hotels at 3, 2, 1, star level. 

 

Not rocket science.

eerrr you are coming from the wrong direction, it is about what they can get not what the Farangs may want, how are they going to get maxx payloads using 3.2.1. star hotels ? They have already mentioned a slimmer Quarantine shape, you can not have everything ,they are already all aimed at one island (Phuket) = lots of empty High end Hotels.  

[scubascuba3]

42 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Sure. And what about the no. of stars of these hotels, a few are 4 star, many/most are 5 and even 6 star hotels.

 

Many many tourists come to Thailand for a cheap holiday, normally (my guess) they would stay:

 

- A very small number in 4 star hotels.

- Even less (very few) in 5 and 6 star hotels.

- Large / very large numbers in 3, 2, 1 star hotels.

 

If they have any interest at all to come to LOS for a holiday (including quarantine), it won't include quarantine in 4, 5, 6 star venues. They just won't come.

 

Therefore a need for many quarantine hotels at 3, 2, 1, star level. 

 

Not rocket science.

Agreed, a friend ended up paying 77k for quarantine because the cheaper hotels were full. It's most likely down to bigger kickbacks for more expensive hotels 

[LennyW]

With part of Europe and UK now imposing tighter restrictions as a result of rising infections, seems crazy that Thailand would want to encourage travel, i understand the tourism industry is suffering and that is indeed a problem for those directly involved, but for the most part Thailand is functioning normally.

It would be a shame to jeopardise the entire country for the sake of one sector.

Seems to be an ongoing 3 sided battle between the Government, The Tourism authority and the Medical professionals.

I do hope common sense prevails.

[Jeffr2]

2 hours ago, damascase said:

I fail to understand this. One arrives with a recent Covid-test, is tested several times again during quarantine, so why does it matter where you come from?

At the same time they let Thai people re-patriate withoud a Covid test before the flight home.,.,.

You can test negative and still have the virus.  1/3rd of the tests are inaccurate.

[ChipButty]

1 hour ago, baansgr said:

The official GDP and what Thai apologists think is only around 12%. However most workers in tourism do not pay tax so are not in the Government equation. Add on all the cottage industries effected in the tourist areas plus money sent to the provinces from the workers...a fair real estimate of GDP is a conservative 30% and probably more....same for any country so heavily reliant on tourism.

More like 90% in Phuket

[Jeffr2]

7 minutes ago, LennyW said:

With part of Europe and UK now imposing tighter restrictions as a result of rising infections, seems crazy that Thailand would want to encourage travel, i understand the tourism industry is suffering and that is indeed a problem for those directly involved, but for the most part Thailand is functioning normally.

It would be a shame to jeopardise the entire country for the sake of one sector.

Seems to be an ongoing 3 sided battle between the Government, The Tourism authority and the Medical professionals.

I do hope common sense prevails.

The Post had an article lately saying only 50% of Thais want tourists here, even if from covid safe countries.  In my personal experience, most are happy with how things are going.  Even if business is not good.  Better safe than sorry.

[Geoffggi]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health will, in the next fortnight, propose to the CCSA a reduction in the mandatory quarantine period for foreign tourists from 14 to 10 days and then 7 days, in line with the COVID-19 situation in visitors’ home countries.

Obviously the Chinese don't want to quarantine for 14 days and who can blame them but rules are rules so either scrap all the quarantine requirements or it's 14 days like every other country that has quarantine requirements, below are yesterdays figures for testing positive as reported in Thai Visa 

 

 

> Six Thai soldiers who returned on September 22 from a UN mission in South Sudan (they were found positive on day 11).

 

> A 54-year-old Thai businessman who came home on September 22 from Myanmar and went into state quarantine in Tak (found positive on day 13).

 

> A 36-year-old man who returned from Hong Kong on September 23 and is in state quarantine in Bangkok (found positive on day 11). He appears to have caught Covid-19 again as his health history shows he first got infected on August 2.

 

> A 31-year-old Thai man who came home from the US on October 1 and went into Bangkok state quarantine (found positive on day 6), and two Americans, aged 21 and 40, who arrived on September 29 and 30 and went into alternative hotel quarantine in Bangkok (found positive on day 5 and day 4, respectively).

 

> Two Indian businessmen, aged 39 and 41, who arrived on September 23 and 30 respectively and went into alternative hotel quarantine in Bangkok (found positive on day 12 and day 4, respectively).

 

> Two Bangaladeshis – a 53-year-old doctor and 26-year-old student – who arrived on September 30 and went into alternative hotel quarantine in Bangkok and Pathum Thani respectively. (Both were found positive on day 5).

 

Taking the above figures into consideration what are the so called experts basing the requirement for shortening the quarantine time frame and it being safe ............???? I repeat either scrap it altogether or it should be 14 days IMO

[mrmicbkktxl]

1 hour ago, scorecard said:

Sure. And what about the no. of stars of these hotels, a few are 4 star, many/most are 5 and even 6 star hotels.

 

Many many tourists come to Thailand for a cheap holiday, normally (my guess) they would stay:

 

- A very small number in 4 star hotels.

- Even less (very few) in 5 and 6 star hotels.

- Large / very large numbers in 3, 2, 1 star hotels.

 

If they have any interest at all to come to LOS for a holiday (including quarantine), it won't include quarantine in 4, 5, 6 star venues. They just won't come.

 

Therefore a need for many quarantine hotels at 3, 2, 1, star level. 

 

Not rocket science.

You are probably right,but exactly those kind of tourists they don't want.They want high spenders and not the 7/11 tourists.It is like the owners of empty hotels,when the hotel is empty they raise the price instead of giving discounts.Just stupid Thai logic

[watso63]

Oh no, not this one again! Whilst people are being diagnosed on the 2nd test during quarantine then seven days is pure folly.

[mrmicbkktxl]

I understand that quarantine thing,but why they have to separate between high and low risk countries if they all have to quarantine.Makes absolutely no sense.Every tourist has corona insurance so if they arrive with the virus their treatment is paid for already

[Jeffr2]

1 minute ago, mrmicbkktxl said:

I understand that quarantine thing,but why they have to separate between high and low risk countries if they all have to quarantine.Makes absolutely no sense.Every tourist has corona insurance so if they arrive with the virus their treatment is paid for already

I think they are worried about a super spreader event.  Like the one from Lumpini Park Boxing Stadium.

 

[yellowboat]

A country that adores shortcuts. Why have quarantine at all then?   Just ask the airlines to offer better traveler's insurance that includes the flu. 

[Cali farong]

Just watched the Thaiger he say they polled 1300 Thais and they don’t really want tourists.  This first 6 months has been a little rough for some Thai. Wait till they see how the next 6 feels. Lotta good deals for us Dirty rich farang and of course the nice Chinese