Private sector backs proposed Test & Go reinstatement

[snoop1130]

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The business sector in Thailand is urging the government to reinstate the Test & Go quarantine exemption scheme to attract more tourists, as continued suspension of this program would spell significant economic loss.

 

The Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) has released its projection on the suspension of Thailand’s Test & Go quarantine exemption scheme, saying the inspection would result in a revenue loss of 5-9 billion baht per month, based on an estimate of 80,000-180,000 monthly visitors under this scheme.

 

TCC Chairman Sanan Angubolkul said the scheme had allowed tourism businesses to recover from the pandemic, with the number of international visitors jumping from around 15,000 people per month to 218,788 persons in December last year.

 

With the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, the government has decided to suspend this scheme in the interest of safety.

 

Mr. Sanan is encouraging the government to reinstate this entry scheme to help the tourism sector, with certain rules amended in line with the current situation, such as more frequent testing.

 

The TCC has also proposed that the government reduce the interprovincial travel prohibition period for visitors arriving at one of the Sandbox areas from 7 to 3-5 days, once the local COVID-19 situation improves. This will allow tourists to have more time and freedom to travel around.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-19

 

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[richard_smith237]

Of course it does.

 

The issue with Omicron now is not the actual illness (for most) but the response to testing positive. 
 

Of course, those at risk always will be, Covid is never going away, but neither are any of the other respiratory diseases which place vulnerable people at risk.  
 

It may well be time to move on with measures in place to protect the vulnerable. 

[hotchilli]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

BANGKOK (NNT) - The business sector in Thailand is urging the government to reinstate the Test & Go quarantine exemption scheme to attract more tourists, as continued suspension of this program would spell significant economic loss.

You'd think the business sector in Thailand would be more interested in securing the safety of the 80% GDP within Thailand and not keep banging on about the 20% from tourism.

Tourism is stuffed at the moment, so concentrate on what you can achieve.

[Charlie Halliday]

Nobody in their right mind is coming here if they continue this stupid regular testing. Omicron is a cold and anyone can get it. This govt locks you up for 2 weeks on a positive test even if asymptomatic. Open the country and stop testing if you want the economy to have chance of recovery. Its already a total disaster with 50% of hotels and tourist related business permanently folded. Foreigners are not coming back under the dumb test and and get ripped off scheme.