Thailand’s Minister of Public Health officially proposes to Covid-Center to postpone resuming “Test and Go” until at least the end of January

[webfact]

 

By Adam Judd

 

Anutin Charnvirakul, Minister of Public Health and Deputy Prime Minister, confirmed this morning to the Thai press, January 3rd, 2022, that he has proposed on behalf of the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) to delay any resumption of the “Test and Go” program until at least the end of January, scheduled for a review by the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration, or CCSA, tomorrow, January 4th.

 

TPN notes that this is only a proposal at this point and not a guarantee, but is likely to happen based on concerns from the Department of Disease Control (DDC) and the MOPH on the rising number of Omicron cases in Thailand.

 

Test and Go is the program that previously allowed foreigners from November 1st, 2021 to enter Thailand quickly with some restrictions and rules, notably passing an RT-PCR test and waiting for the results in a qualified hotel. This was suspended due to Omicron concerns on December 21st.

 

Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/01/03/thailands-minister-of-public-health-officially-proposes-to-covid-center-to-postpone-resuming-test-and-go-until-at-least-the-end-of-january/

 

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[RichardColeman]

If he does this then Thai tourism will be dead for another year, nobody booking a holiday now will be doing it 'hoping' thailand may or may not be open later, he can certainly wipe off the expected 300,000 Jan, Feb March and as for cutting the test and go from 10th January even if booked already .....................

Edited January 3, 2022 by RichardColeman

[law ling]

All because of what that Israeli guy did?

[TooMuchTime]

Good.  Safety first and masks up!

[aussiexpat]

Anyone read Thai? Barrow says it's now locked out after 10 Jan

 

???? BREAKING: The Ministry of Public Health is now recommending extending the suspension of new applications for Test & Go until the end of the month and they also propose, those who already have a Thailand Pass for Test & Go, must enter before 10 January. Follow @ThaiNewsReports on Twitter for regular updates.

Source: ด่วน! 'อนุทิน' สั่งสธ. ชงศบค.เลื่อนเปิด 'Test and go' ถึง 31 ม.ค. หลังโอมิครอนพุ่ง https://www.matichon.co.th/covid19/news_3114611

[Screaming]

This is a good idea. There are many foreigners that are entering Thailand with the new brand of Covid. I would like to see a fourteen day quarantine also reinstated for new entries. The January 15 opening of bars should also be moved up until the middle of next year on the new fears of covid.

[ThailandRyan]

1 minute ago, aussiexpat said:

Anyone read Thai? Barrow says it's now locked out after 10 Jan

 

???? BREAKING: The Ministry of Public Health is now recommending extending the suspension of new applications for Test & Go until the end of the month and they also propose, those who already have a Thailand Pass for Test & Go, must enter before 10 January. Follow @ThaiNewsReports on Twitter for regular updates.

Source: ด่วน! 'อนุทิน' สั่งสธ. ชงศบค.เลื่อนเปิด 'Test and go' ถึง 31 ม.ค. หลังโอมิครอนพุ่ง https://www.matichon.co.th/covid19/news_3114611

That will make it interesting for all of those that have been pre-approved and planned trips here in February and had it all confirmed with a QR Code.  If they do not grandfathered those in who already knew they would have to take a second test then this will create some big headaches.  My approval is for late February, but then if needed I can just do the sandbox unless they kill that off as well.

[webfact]

Suspension of Test and Go set to be extended to Jan 31

 

File photo

 

The Ministry of Public Health is set to propose an extension to the suspension of the Test & Go scheme until the end of January. 

 

Speaking on Monday, Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul told Thai language media that his ministry will propose the suspension of Test & Go until January 31st in order to help prevent further spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19.

 

Under the proposals, Mr Anutin said that those who had already registered for Test & Go would be required to enter Thailand before January 10. 

 

After January 10, anyone who enters Thailand would only be able to do so via the Phuket Sandbox.

 

The Test & Go scheme had been introduced in November to allow people who had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter Thailand without the need to quarantine. 

 

The scheme was then suspended last month until 4 January as a precautionary measure against omicron. 

 

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[aussiexpat]

After January 10, anyone who enters Thailand would only be able to do so via the Phuket Sandbox.

 

So how can I enter via Phuket Sandbox when my flight arrives in Bangkok 12 Jan with hotel, taxi and PCR Tests already paid for Bangkok...

 

Edited January 3, 2022 by aussiexpat

[poohy]

15 minutes ago, Screaming said:

This is a good idea. There are many foreigners that are entering Thailand with the new brand of Covid. I would like to see a fourteen day quarantine also reinstated for new entries. The January 15 opening of bars should also be moved up until the middle of next year on the new fears of covid.

You are either a wind up merchant of top quality if so i applaud you 

if however you are vaguely serious you are insane 

[sqwakvfr]

I am supposed(at I hope so) to return in mid February.  I am already planning on a 7 or 10 day ASQ experience in BKK.  Cannot fault the Thai Government if Quarantine is brought back.  

[Trip Hop]

11 minutes ago, poohy said:

You are either a wind up merchant of top quality if so i applaud you 

if however you are vaguely serious you are insane 

I’ll second that!! Or possibly part of the ‘I’m alright Jack’ brigade?

[JustAnotherHun]

30 minutes ago, Screaming said:

This is a good idea. There are many foreigners that are entering Thailand with the new brand of Covid. I would like to see a fourteen day quarantine also reinstated for new entries. The January 15 opening of bars should also be moved up until the middle of next year on the new fears of covid.

That's a good start but not enough:

Everybody has to stay home, lock door and windows, each family member in a seperate room, complete lockdown for at least 1 month.

otherwise we'll all gonna die.

[sqwakvfr]

11 minutes ago, aussiexpat said:

After January 10, anyone who enters Thailand would only be able to do so via the Phuket Sandbox.

 

So how can I enter via Phuket Sandbox when my flight arrives in Bangkok 12 Jan with hotel, taxi and PCR Tests already paid for Bangkok...

 

Have you been approved for the Phuket Sandbox or the Test and Go?  Also, I believe one can still complete a 7, 10 or 14 Quarantine in BKK.  The amount of time in Quarantine would depend on your vaccination status and country of departure.  

[cardinalblue]

Screaming, 

 

do you double your laundry detergent dose b/c the more the better?

 

let’s see - US reduces quarantine  from 10 to 5 days for positive cases and you want to extend it to 14?

 

Show me your evidence not an opinion for that wisdom….

[ThailandRyan]

16 minutes ago, aussiexpat said:

After January 10, anyone who enters Thailand would only be able to do so via the Phuket Sandbox.

 

So how can I enter via Phuket Sandbox when my flight arrives in Bangkok 12 Jan with hotel, taxi and PCR Tests already paid for Bangkok...

 

That's a good question, as they had originally stated those already approved would be grandfathered in.  Will cause some real issues for many.

[RichardColeman]

November brings test and go in

December cancels test and go

December says will honour test and go commitments

January says will not honour test and go commitments

 

[ThailandRyan]

1 minute ago, RichardColeman said:

November brings test and go in

December cancels test and go

December says will honour test and go commitments

January says will not honour test and go commitments

 

And just like that trips scheduled and time off from work to travel have been obliterated.  No one schedules a trip last minute. Ergo why i scheduled my trip to the US for January in November with a return in February and had it all approved and paid for along with the TestNGo for my return to home in BKK.  Looks like a trip through the Sandbox will be my return.

[charmonman]

35 minutes ago, webfact said:

After January 10, anyone who enters Thailand would only be able to do so via the Phuket Sandbox.

This must be a mistake unless for some reason they have decided to cancel the ASQ program, which would be a strange decision indeed. Should read "able to do so via the Phuket Sandbox or via quarantine". Am I wrong?

[JustAnotherHun]

6 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

January says will not honour test and go commitments

Really? I don't think so.

[2 is 1]

I come back March if some kind entrance is possible then. Today going to get my third jab (Pfizer), seems like dosent matter that either for anything else than maybe im not get really sick myself.

People get 3 jabs / year and still close border's, when going to end this sht!? Cant stay home forever and isolate hole world. Here in Finland had over 11000 infection last friday (waiting weekends number), i just visit shop whitout mask coz forget one. I just dont care anymore! F IT!

[AsiaCheese]

2 minutes ago, charmonman said:

This must be a mistake unless for some reason they have decided to cancel the ASQ program, which would be a strange decision indeed. Should read "able to do so via the Phuket Sandbox or via quarantine". Am I wrong?

One can only hope you're right - but then, you never know, because: TiT...

 

[aussiexpat]

16 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

Have you been approved for the Phuket Sandbox or the Test and Go?  Also, I believe one can still complete a 7, 10 or 14 Quarantine in BKK.  The amount of time in Quarantine would depend on your vaccination status and country of departure.  

Approved 1 day Test & Go in Bangkok all paid for, was arriving 13 Jan...if I was willing to do 7 days ASQ I would have done it ages ago....Thailand is a disaster with every tourist reccomended to go anywhere but there...

Edited January 3, 2022 by aussiexpat

[ThailandRyan]

1 minute ago, JustAnotherHun said:

Really? I don't think so.

We will wait and see. I hope they keep to their word but then TIT. 

[stigar]

4 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

And just like that trips scheduled and time off from work to travel have been obliterated.  No one schedules a trip last minute. Ergo why i scheduled my trip to the US for January in November with a return in February and had it all approved and paid for along with the TestNGo for my return to home in BKK.  Looks like a trip through the Sandbox will be my return.

Hold ur breath.U never know what can happend.Thats why i booked my fligth in late march.Im not pay anything in advance..its to risky.

[aussiexpat]

8 minutes ago, JustAnotherHun said:

Really? I don't think so.

Really, it's clearly stated in multiple reports that no entry via test & go after 10 Jan....flights, hotel, taxi, PCR tests wasted ????

[arick]

The the latest scientific data. It looks like getting the Omicron is the best thing to happen to us it protects us far better from delta then a vaccine. I might volunteer at KKU hospital! 

[2 is 1]

1 minute ago, stigar said:

Hold ur breath.U never know what can happend.Thats why i booked my fligth in late march.Im not pay anything in advance..its to risky.

I have always travel fast! Like nothing plan if i go i go! Normaly when decide i flight next day! Now not possible. Im bist to all kind request's, never before has travel country's where i have to apply entrance forward!

[sqwakvfr]

5 minutes ago, aussiexpat said:

Approved 1 day Test & Go in Bangkok all paid for, was arriving 13 Jan...if I was willing to do 7 days ASQ I would have done it ages ago....Thailand is a disaster with every tourist reccomended to go anywhere but there...

Then you might have to change your flight and of course then you have to apply for a new Thailand Pass.  Now that you explained it, I have empathy for you.  Good luck.  

[JustAnotherHun]

1 minute ago, aussiexpat said:

Really, it's clearly stated in multiple reports that no entry via test & go after 10 Jan....flights, hotel, taxi, PCR tests wasted ????

do you have a source for that? AFAIK the grandfathering of the before Dec21(?) approved T&Gs is still valid.