Vaccine Passport plan still on the horizon as Thailand readies for Area Quarantine in five tourism provinces

[webfact]

Vaccine Passport plan still on the horizon as Thailand readies for Area Quarantine in five tourism provinces

 

REUTERS FILE PHOTO for reference only

 

Thailand's tourism minister Pipat Ratchakitprakan is determined to follow through with plans to accommodate vaccinated tourists under the so called Vaccine Passport scheme. 

 

Further details have also been released of facilities for Area Quarantine - the latest buzzword - that is expected to be approved this month.

 

Pipat told the Thai media that the Ministry of Public Health and his ministry were following developments closely from the World Health Organisation regarding Vaccine Passports. 

 

In the meantime they were readying the country for the return to tourism in other ways. One of these was adapting the tourism ministry website to make it easier for tourists to gain their CoE or certificate of entry.

 

His target for the year of foreign tourists remains at 5 million with initially Russians on package tours to Phuket and well-heeled Indians being the most hopeful groups.

 

Up to 800 tourists from Russian are apparently keen to fly to Phuket on two charter flights daily. 

 

He hopes that Area Quarantine will play a big part in this opening to tourism. He explained that AQ is what tourists want as it is cheaper than villa quarantine and provides more freedom.

 

Although it is still 14 days in a hotel the tourist can leave their room after three days and walk around, though they must stay within the confines of the resort. 

 

He said that the proposal for AQ has been made to the CCSA and he expects their approval some time this month.

 

Five provinces will offer the AQ with Phuket and Chonburi (in reality Pattaya) offering the lion's share.

 

Here are the latest figures:

 

Phuket: 24 places 2,752 rooms

Chonburi: 16/2522

Krabi: 7/1024

Chiang Mai: 1/130

Surat Thani (Koh Samui) 10/288.

 

In total there are 6,500 rooms available for the tourists with 13,000 staff looking after them. 

 

The minister reiterating his 5 million target for foreign tourism in 2021 said that Area Quarantine is the way forward.

 

And when the WHO have clarified their Vaccine Passport scheme that will be the next step. 

 

Many critics online have said that only the complete abandonment of quarantine will be good enough to give Thailand a hope to return to any form of mass foreign tourism.

 

But Thai officials continue to be cautious mindful of a public who are wary of opening the country too soon. 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-03-02

 

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[mtls2005]

So the "science" says that a vaccinated person cannot spread the virus? Is that what people are saying?

 

And this "effect" lasts for how long, exactly?

 

 

[Big Yuley]

???? another day , more jokes. 

[irishman25]

7 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

So the "science" says that a vaccinated person cannot spread the virus? Is that what people are saying?

 

And this "effect" lasts for how long, exactly?

 

 

sorry but within 14days after receiving the first vaccine you can spread and catch covid-19 by the 31 day you are more protected. up 46% now when you get the second Jab you body system with 10  days you will be over 90% protected now the only issue is how long maybe years?

[mr mr]

17 minutes ago, webfact said:

His target for the year of foreign tourists remains at 5 million with initially Russians on package tours to Phuket and well-heeled Indians being the most hopeful groups.

 

this year tourism will be saved by 20 millions of chinese eager to get out and holiday. but for sure it will be like 6 million brits who swoop in to spend billions. odds are though that it will be the indians and russians who spend so much that the entire gdp of the world will rest in thai tourism. 

 

is that about right ? 

[Phuketshrew]

800 Russians a day to Phuket my  <<deleted>>. 800 over 2 weeks equates to 11,200 tourists at 24 places in 2,752 rooms. Really?

More Pipat Pipe dreams - but I wonder what he is smoking in his pipe?

[ThailandRyan]

5 minutes ago, Phuketshrew said:

800 Russians a day to Phuket my  <<deleted>>. 800 over 2 weeks equates to 11,200 tourists at 24 places in 2,752 rooms. Really?

More Pipat Pipe dreams - but I wonder what he is smoking in his pipe?

Triple booked rooms with triple bunkbeds...how's that?

[mtls2005]

22 minutes ago, irishman25 said:

sorry but within 14days after receiving the first vaccine you can spread and catch covid-19 by the 31 day you are more protected. up 46% now when you get the second Jab you body system with 10  days you will be over 90% protected now the only issue is how long maybe years?

 

I understand the protective nature of a vaccine.

 

I was specifically asking about the science, and duration, of the "effect" of a vaccinated person to transmit the virus.

 

The general assumption seems to be that if you are vaccinated, you are immediately rendered incapable of transmitting the virus, Just asking if this is supported by the science, and if so, for how long?

 

 

 

[RR2020]

And here is the reason vaccine passports will not work.

 

Covid vaccines cut risk of serious illness by 80% in over-80s - BBC News

 

 

The vaccine cuts the risk of serious disease...............IT DOES NOT STOP YOU CARRYING AND SPREADING THE VIRUS.

 

So if any country says vaccinated people can enter with no quarantine they are in effect condemning their own people to get the virus from vaccinated tourists...............

 

 

 

[RR2020]

Vaccines do not stop you getting and carrying any virus.

 

They merely stop you, the vaccinated person, from getting sick from the virus.

 

All vaccinated people can carry and spread the virus.................end of story. 

 

 

 

[mtls2005]

2 minutes ago, RR2020 said:

Vaccines do not stop you getting and carrying any virus.

 

They merely stop you, the vaccinated person, from getting sick from the virus.

 

All vaccinated people can carry and spread the virus.................end of story. 

 

 

 

 

This is my "layman's" take, but people seem to be foaming at the mouth to push these vaccine passports, so just wondering what their justification(s) is, I mean other than cash.

 

 

 

 

 

[RR2020]

2 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

 

This is my "layman's" take, but people seem to be foaming at the mouth to push these vaccine passports, so just wondering what their justification(s) is, I mean other than cash.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, cash, profits, money.................cash, cash, cash...............

 

The people foaming at the mouth are the ones who want the cash again............they are looking for any excuse to get their tills ringing again and the money coming in....................

 

Vaccine passports will not work for many many reasons. 

 

 

 

[Speedo1968]

If you can get "perfect" fake passports then what's the difficulty in getting a dodgy CoE ?

[Big Yuley]

14 minutes ago, RR2020 said:

Vaccines do not stop you getting and carrying any virus.

 

They merely stop you, the vaccinated person, from getting sick from the virus.

 

All vaccinated people can carry and spread the virus.................end of story. 

 

 

 

So the solution is what?

Keep all international borders closed forever?

[Big Yuley]

20 minutes ago, RR2020 said:

Vaccines do not stop you getting and carrying any virus.

 

They merely stop you, the vaccinated person, from getting sick from the virus.

 

All vaccinated people can carry and spread the virus.................end of story. 

 

 

 

Yes, which is what happens with influenza .

We dont close international borders and lock down people because they get the flu

[Laughing Gravy]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

He hopes that Area Quarantine will play a big part in this opening to tourism. He explained that AQ is what tourists want as it is cheaper than villa quarantine and provides more freedom.

 

Although it is still 14 days in a hotel the tourist can leave their room after three days and walk around, though they must stay within the confines of the resort. 

With this mentality, if the borders do open he will be lucky to get 5000 not 5 million.

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

His target for the year of foreign tourists remains at 5 million with initially Russians on package tours to Phuket and well-heeled Indians being the most hopeful groups.

I do hope when this nonsense is over the media or even the opposition will grow a pair of gonads and question all these ridiculous numbers thrown around and ask these idiots to do the honourable thing. Step down.

 

The TAT are consistent in their hilarious predictions and give many of us our daily laughter medicine.

[RR2020]

10 minutes ago, Big Yuley said:

So the solution is what?

Keep all international borders closed forever?

 

I would suggest people need to grow a pair..........

 

Make the vaccine available to those old and sick and unhealthy people.

 

Make the vaccine available to everyone else.

 

Then open up fully and ignore Covid.......like we ignore Flu and TB and many other nasties.  

 

[Big Yuley]

5 minutes ago, RR2020 said:

 

I would suggest people need to grow a pair..........

 

Make the vaccine available to those old and sick and unhealthy people.

 

Make the vaccine available to everyone else.

 

Then open up fully and ignore Covid.......like we ignore Flu and TB and many other nasties.  

 

Correct. 

[bermondburi]

It's true that vaccines don't stop transmission, but there is plenty of evidence coming out that they reduce it. Some studies saying by around 2 thirds. 

I'm not a scientist, but wouldn't this be enough to keep the R below 1?

[Mr Meeseeks]

1 hour ago, Big Yuley said:

So the solution is what?

Keep all international borders closed forever?

The solution is to get the Thai population vaccinated then open the borders.

 

The only other way is to take off and nuke the entire site from orbit.

[Petey11]

So round it up to 6000 rooms, average 1.5 people per room, 9000 people, rotating every 2 weeks equals 18000 per month. Wonder where the 5 million comes from?

[khunphil]

2 hours ago, Big Yuley said:

Yes, which is what happens with influenza .

We don't close international borders and lock down people because they get the flu

Yes, this is how it works for all the vaccines ... to protect yourself by killing the virus in a shorted time and a higher probability of success.
But it can be possible that as antibodies are working fast and early if you had the shot, the viral charge 'could' be lower, so you 'would' spread less viruses, and for a shorter time. So the logic answer would be : Get the hosts vaccinated as many as you can, and get who ever you want as tourist, but vaccinated tourists can be safer for all.
Now the problem is how many percent of Thai/Expats people would be vaccinated in October ....... That's the real question.

Phil

 

[mr mr]

7 minutes ago, Petey11 said:

So round it up to 6000 rooms, average 1.5 people per room, 9000 people, rotating every 2 weeks equals 18000 per month. Wonder where the 5 million comes from?

 

it's clear you never went to school in thailand. you think too much about details. 

[khunphil]

2 hours ago, bermondburi said:

It's true that vaccines don't stop transmission, but there is plenty of evidence coming out that they reduce it. Some studies saying by around 2 thirds. 

I'm not a scientist, but wouldn't this be enough to keep the R below 1?

That would help. The R-0 depends more on how contagious the variant is and easily transmitted. The viral charge to be contagious could differ from a variant to another one ... but that's life. At one point, we have to risk something, as we are driving everyday ... more risky ????

[polpott]

3 hours ago, bermondburi said:

It's true that vaccines don't stop transmission, but there is plenty of evidence coming out that they reduce it. Some studies saying by around 2 thirds. 

I'm not a scientist, but wouldn't this be enough to keep the R below 1?

https://www.wired.com/story/we-still-dont-know-how-well-covid-vaccines-stop-transmission/

 

"The first, a leaked manuscript first reported by Israeli news site Ynet before being covered by MIT Technology Review, Bloomberg, The Financial Times, and Vox, found that two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech’s shot drove an 89.4 percent drop in infections—both symptomatic and asymptomatic—among vaccinated people in Israel."

 

"The second report, a preprint posted on The Lancet Monday, blew that glimmer of good news into a bigger flame. It described a Public Health England study of health care workers in the United Kingdom who’d received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and who were tested every 14 days for Covid-19. The study found that in addition to making people less likely to get sick from the coronavirus—no surprise there—the vaccine sliced the risk of the recipient getting infected, period. By how much? Vaccinated health care workers were 72 percent less likely at 21 days after the first dose, and 86 percent 7 days after the second dose."

[ThailandRyan]

37 minutes ago, polpott said:

https://www.wired.com/story/we-still-dont-know-how-well-covid-vaccines-stop-transmission/

 

"The first, a leaked manuscript first reported by Israeli news site Ynet before being covered by MIT Technology Review, Bloomberg, The Financial Times, and Vox, found that two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech’s shot drove an 89.4 percent drop in infections—both symptomatic and asymptomatic—among vaccinated people in Israel."

 

"The second report, a preprint posted on The Lancet Monday, blew that glimmer of good news into a bigger flame. It described a Public Health England study of health care workers in the United Kingdom who’d received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and who were tested every 14 days for Covid-19. The study found that in addition to making people less likely to get sick from the coronavirus—no surprise there—the vaccine sliced the risk of the recipient getting infected, period. By how much? Vaccinated health care workers were 72 percent less likely at 21 days after the first dose, and 86 percent 7 days after the second dose."

And your point being what? Thailand is still an un-vaccinated country at this point in time, and it has been shown that some folks who have already been vaccinated have, and I say HAVE been infected.  Oregon had four cases and there are others.  However, it is not about just the vaccinated getting the virus again, but the ability to transfer it to un-vaccinated people.  Not enough studies as of yet as we are on a very limited playing field.  Not that I don't want the country and the world to open up, it is the powers to be that seem to be slow on any uptake.

 

Vaccinated Slovenian doctor reinfected with COVID-19 – EURACTIV.com

 

Health Department: 6 infected after finishing full COVID-19 vaccination cycle (fox19.com)

 

Vaccinated people can still get infected with Covid-19. Here's why - CNN

 

So much we still do not know about this virus and then the different vaccines efficacies.  All people are different, and what works for one may not work for another.

[polpott]

5 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

And your point being what? Thailand is still an un-vaccinated country at this point in time, and it has been shown that some folks who have already been vaccinated have, and I say HAVE been re-infected.  Oregon had four cases and there are others.  However, it is not about just the vaccinated getting the virus again, but the ability to transfer it to un-vaccinated people.  Not enough studies as of yet as we are on a very limited playing field.  Not that I don't want the country and the world to open up, it is the powers to be that seem to be slow on any uptake.

 

Vaccinated Slovenian doctor reinfected with COVID-19 – EURACTIV.com

 

Health Department: 6 infected after finishing full COVID-19 vaccination cycle (fox19.com)

 

Vaccinated people can still get infected with Covid-19. Here's why - CNN

 

So much we still do not know about this virus and then the different vaccines efficacies.  All people are different, and what works for one may not work for another.

There is no evidence that the vaccine does not protect people from infection, however, previously there was no evidence that it does protect people from infection, which Fauchi, CDC and co base their assumption that it doesn't on. Evidence is now emerging and they will have to revise their statements.

[wombat]

have stamp will travel

 

[VBF]

5 hours ago, polpott said:

There is no evidence that the vaccine does not protect people from infection, however, previously there was no evidence that it does protect people from infection, which Fauchi, CDC and co base their assumption that it doesn't on. Evidence is now emerging and they will have to revise their statements.

That's twice today i've posted to agree with you - we must stop meeting like this! ????

 

Seriously, the doctors and scientists HAD to start by assuming the worst when there was no evidence to the contrary - that's part of their job.

Equally, when there is evidence to the contrary, I am confident that the real professionals will be willing to admit that "further research and experience has shown......" 

I for one, laud them for it.

 

It's the ill-informed, attention-seeking conspiracy theorists and various "deniers" who will be struggling to continue justifying their tenuous assertions.

[Big Yuley]

7 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

The solution is to get the Thai population vaccinated then open the borders.

 

The only other way is to take off and nuke the entire site from orbit.

again correct