Thailand to consider cutting second COVID-19 tests on international arrivals

[snoop1130]

Passengers wearing face masks and a protective suit as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus arriving at the departure terminal of Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok. (Photo by Romeo GACAD / AFP)

 

Thailand will consider a recommendation from an airline tycoon to reduce the steps required for international entry, by doing away the second COVID-19 test, currently required on the fifth day after arrival.

 

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met with AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes, who suggested measures to improve the “Test & Go” scheme, specifically the removal of the second test requirement.

 

Anutin said that he has asked the Department of  Disease Control (DDC) to consider the idea, as they are concerned with the safety of the people.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailand-to-consider-cutting-second-covid-19-tests-on-international-arrivals/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-18

 

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[racyrick]

What a joke. A CEO with a vested interest in trying to improve his business at the expense of the people's health.

 

Most infections are caught on the second test!!!!

[Bkk Brian]

Unfortunately the damage has already been done with the double tap Test and Go. Its going to take a lot more than doing away with the second test now to get any good numbers of real tourists to come. What a complete mess they've made of this entry system.

 

Tourists Returning to Thailand Find Closed Bars, Empty Streets

The country’s attempt to jump-start tourism may be hurt by the absence of the very businesses foreign visitors come for.

 

Thailand’s strict travel regulations, such as requirements to take multiple Covid tests and provide proof of medical insurance with at least $50,000 coverage, will also limit the type of people who come.

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-16/pandemic-has-thailand-s-tourists-returning-to-closed-bars-and-empty-streets

Edited February 18, 2022 by Bkk Brian

[Captain Monday]

4 minutes ago, racyrick said:

What a joke. A CEO with a vested interest in trying to improve his business at the expense of the people's health.

 

Most infections are caught on the second test!!!!

Yes, because they caught omicron gallivanting it in Thailand! So what is the point then?

[racyrick]

3 minutes ago, Captain Monday said:

Yes, because they caught omicron gallivanting it in Thailand! So what is the point then?

True!

[daveAustin]

11 minutes ago, racyrick said:

What a joke. A CEO with a vested interest in trying to improve his business at the expense of the people's health.

 

Most infections are caught on the second test!!!!

Largely through catching it locally as noted. It’s already in so all these extra tests are pointless. Should also drop first test. 
This is how it’ll happen though… taking the advise (which is logical) from outside gov so they can apportion blame if it goes wrong. 

[thaiman]

3 minutes ago, daveAustin said:

Largely through catching it locally as noted. It’s already in so all these extra tests are pointless. Should also drop first test. 
This is how it’ll happen though… taking the advise (which is logical) from outside gov so they can apportion blame if it goes wrong. 

Indeed.  Maybe 100k/daily new local infections and they're overly concerned with a few travelers coming into the country.  If they really were concerned, why not rapid test everyone who rides the BTS/MRT before everyday.  Then throw those infected in isolation?  It's all a joke at this point!

[Yorkshire Tea]

Just open the borders.  No tests, no red tape.

 

And free visas to attract tourists who are brave enough to come here ????

 

[smedly]

1 hour ago, racyrick said:

Most infections are caught on the second test!!!!

hardly surprising is it since they have been out mixing in the community for 5 days where there is a highly infectious virus spreading rapidly

[nattaya09]

Thailand likely has millions of cases of Omicron active right now.  It will dissipate at it's own pace. In the meantime, drop both arrival tests and the insurance scam now and maybe by the end of the year, the world will start to feel more confident about taking a holiday in Thailand

[koratkarlos]

From my viewpoint effective experienced managers/leaders have a clear direction and can explain their vision in simple motivating terms.  Anutin is the opposite of this, flip flopping on the beach like a fish out of water.  Maybe they should of thought of only one test requirement when they revised the Test & Go the first time.  But no, this requires planning, thinking ahead and discipline which is a big void at the top.  It is pretty clear that Omicron will spread no matter what.  Please, realize that you are not counting the numbers accurately anyway, that it won't matter, and pat yourselves on the back for the vaccinations given.  Time to move on.  

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, racyrick said:

What a joke. A CEO with a vested interest in trying to improve his business at the expense of the people's health.

 

Most infections are caught on the second test!!!!

What a joke indeed... I mean your comment of course..  because covid-19 is already rife in Thailand.... 

 

Those ‘most infections’ which were caught on the second (day 5 test) were caught in Thailand on Day 1, 2, 3 and 4  !!! 

 

IF the situation were different and arrivals had to quarantine until the day 5 test and then tested positive your ‘what a joke’ comment may carry some weight.

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, Yorkshire Tea said:

Just open the borders.  No tests, no red tape.

 

And free visas to attract tourists who are brave enough to come here ????

 

I still agree with the pre-flight PCR test... this is to protect others on the flight - Thailand can do away with the rest.

 

Thailand could also offer ‘free treatment’ and free ‘decent' isolation facilities for any tourist who develop Covid-19 symptoms and tests positive while here, instead of going the opposite direction and forcing tourists to risk expensive consequences. 

 

Offer guidance and assistance instead of burden.

 

 

 

[zzaa09]

2 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Unfortunately the damage has already been done with the double tap Test and Go. Its going to take a lot more than doing away with the second test now to get any good numbers of real tourists to come. What a complete mess they've made of this entry system.

 

Tourists Returning to Thailand Find Closed Bars, Empty Streets

The country’s attempt to jump-start tourism may be hurt by the absence of the very businesses foreign visitors come for.

 

Thailand’s strict travel regulations, such as requirements to take multiple Covid tests and provide proof of medical insurance with at least $50,000 coverage, will also limit the type of people who come.

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-16/pandemic-has-thailand-s-tourists-returning-to-closed-bars-and-empty-streets

Just as well. 

Much more beneficial with less and less Farang monkeying around and in residences. 

 

[thaiman]

15 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

What a joke indeed... I mean your comment of course..  because covid-19 is already rife in Thailand.... 

 

Those ‘most infections’ which were caught on the second (day 5 test) were caught in Thailand on Day 1, 2, 3 and 4  !!! 

 

 

Exactly!  Are there statistics on how many tested positive on day 5?  It would be nice to look at how many tourists got caught in this, obvious, Thai snare.

[stigar]

Like a poster said before.The foreigner who goes to thailand now must have menthal issues.

[Jingthing]

2 hours ago, racyrick said:

What a joke. A CEO with a vested interest in trying to improve his business at the expense of the people's health.

 

Most infections are caught on the second test!!!!

Most infections have nothing to do with travelers. Get a grip. The virus is with us. GET VACCINATED AND BOOSTED. Travel restrictions are not the answer. 

[Jingthing]

56 minutes ago, nattaya09 said:

Thailand likely has millions of cases of Omicron active right now.  It will dissipate at it's own pace. In the meantime, drop both arrival tests and the insurance scam now and maybe by the end of the year, the world will start to feel more confident about taking a holiday in Thailand

The only utility of harassing (and repelling most) travelers is as a political scapegoating tool. Thai culture seems to have a penchant for irrational xenophobia. This is not about the health of Thai people. We have the answer to that. Vaccinations! 

Edited February 18, 2022 by Jingthing

[stigar]

8 minutes ago, thaiman said:

Exactly!  Are there statistics on how many tested positive on day 5?  It would be nice to look at how many tourists got caught in this, obvious, Thai snare.

Rigth.Is a part of the scam.My incurancecompany said that THAILAND is on the top list along with USA and SPAIN.

[Forza2002]

Obviously the hospital family owners in the 1% club will convince Anutin not to scrap the 2nd test. This has been a nice little earner for their hospitals with Farang being tested +ve on the second test and running up 100K+ bills... kerching...

[richard_smith237]

14 minutes ago, Forza2002 said:

Obviously the hospital family owners in the 1% club will convince Anutin not to scrap the 2nd test. This has been a nice little earner for their hospitals with Farang being tested +ve on the second test and running up 100K+ bills... kerching...

These little paranoid conspiracy theories are juvenile. 

 

Do you really think the few foreign positive Covid-19 cases forced to take Hospital Treatment and isolation even register on the financial books of hospitals and hotels which are already bustling rendering services to Thailands population ????

 

Go into any hospital in Thailand, private or government and its always a busy place. 

 

 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

36 minutes ago, thaiman said:

Exactly!  Are there statistics on how many tested positive on day 5?  It would be nice to look at how many tourists got caught in this, obvious, Thai snare.

There’s no ‘obvious’ Thai Snare (trap) or whatever paranoid conclusion you wish to draw. 

 

Decisions such as this are simply borne out of clumsiness and a lack of critical thought from those attempting to hash-out policy and attempt to achieve a solution.

 

I imagine no one in the room at the time thought....  hang-on a minute, but can’t new arrivals catch Covid-19 on day 1, 2, 3, or 4 ???? ....   and I’m glad no one did ask this question, otherwise to counter this they may very well have come up with 5 days quarantine. 

 

Baby-steps for for the juvenile minds of those in positions of decision making power - the removal of the day 5 test is a natural progression and simply a matter of time.

 

 

 

[Walker88]

If I try to 'think like Anutin', I suspect his solution---accepting cash advice from the totally impartial airline executive---he'll likely cancel the Test on Arrival but keep the 5th day test.

 

The worst of both worlds.

[Albert Zweistein]

2 hours ago, Yorkshire Tea said:

Just open the borders.  No tests, no red tape.

 

And free visas to attract tourists who are brave enough to come here ????

 

And some pocketmoney.

[it is what it is]

2 hours ago, Yorkshire Tea said:

Just open the borders.  No tests, no red tape.

 

And free visas to attract tourists who are brave enough to come here ????

 

 

reverting to the the previous visa exempt entry should work just fine

[Bkk Brian]

1 hour ago, zzaa09 said:

Just as well. 

Much more beneficial with less and less Farang monkeying around and in residences. 

 

Who are you speaking for, beneficial to who?

[internationalism]

yes, the 5th day suppose to be only a temporary measure, for omicron prevention.

But by January it was already known that symptoms appear very fast, 2-3 from infection.

At that point they should cancel the 5th day test.

 

[2 is 1]

Thailand to consider cutting second COVID-19 tests on international arrivals!

 

Somebody has finaly get half hes head out from own behind!

[Sheryl]

3 hours ago, racyrick said:

What a joke. A CEO with a vested interest in trying to improve his business at the expense of the people's health.

 

Most infections are caught on the second test!!!!

Infections caught on the second test are, pretty much by definition, not infections brought in from abroad but rather acquired after arrival in Thailand. Omicron incubation is only about 3 days.

 

There is no public health rationale for testing people on day 5.

 

 

 

 

[scorecard]

1 hour ago, Walker88 said:

If I try to 'think like Anutin', I suspect his solution---accepting cash advice from the totally impartial airline executive---he'll likely cancel the Test on Arrival but keep the 5th day test.

 

The worst of both worlds.

Seems to me that the 'impartial airline executive' (major owner) Dr Tony F. is focused on anything that will help to restart his international flights with many flights to/from many countries (AirAsiaX). 

 

Cancellation of the 5 day test would probably help to convince international travelers to buy the X flights.

 

Dr Tony probably knows that folks who have used his international flights (before Covid- 19) are mostly quite impressed with the fares and the services provided. 

 

I flew CM to KL, 1.5 hrs lyover in their AirAsiaX lounge at KLIA then to Sydney. I couldn't fault any aspect of the whole event. Their wheelchair service (CM, KLIA & Sydney) was excellent. The meals & deserts, drinks (pre-ordered) were quite good, on time, hot, quite polite service. 

 

The wheelchair service at deparrue and at KLIA was planned, structured and pleasant. On arrival in Sydney it was superbly well organized, fast, complete, polite and the 2 AIrAsia ladies involved treated me very well, eventually they put me in a pre ordered transit taxi, checked that I had water and a snack and was totally comfortable. Well done.

 

My understanding is that AIrAsiaX has been near bankruptcy, because of restrictions and therefore not been able to restart many X flights and no doubt Dr. Tony is very keen to get these flights restarted en masse and quickly. 

Edited February 18, 2022 by scorecard