Thailand Reverses Covid Vaccination Entry Rule For Guests

Bangkok:

Thailand has rescinded an entry coverage introduced on the weekend requiring guests to indicate proof of a COVID-19 vaccination, its well being minister mentioned on Monday, citing ample immunisation ranges in China and globally. 

Anutin Charnvirakul mentioned checking proof of vaccinations was inconvenient and a panel of heath specialists had agreed to withdraw the brand new rule, which was introduced on Saturday by aviation authorities forward of an anticipated deluge of tourists from China, the place COVID-19 instances have surged.

Anutin Charnvirakul mentioned these not vaccinated would even be granted entry with out restriction.

“Exhibiting proof of vaccination could be cumbersome and inconvenient, and so the group’s determination is that it’s pointless,” Mr Anutin instructed reporters.

Considered one of Asia’s hottest journey locations, Thailand is having fun with an inflow of tourists throughout its first peak season for the reason that removing final 12 months of tight entry restrictions that had brought on its tourism sector to break down.

In November, it recorded 1.75 million guests, quadruple the quantity for the entire of final 12 months when flights and international arrivals had been restricted.

China has been essential for Thailand, accounting for a couple of quarter of its annual guests earlier than the pandemic. Anutin mentioned the federal government was now anticipating 7-10 million Chinese language guests, in comparison with an earlier 5 million estimate.

The primary flight from China arrived in Thailand on Monday with the primary group amongst an anticipated 3,465 passengers on the primary day.

“We’re very excited to come back again to Thailand. We’ve been ready for 3 years already,” mentioned Wang Zhenyin, 39, one of many first to reach.

“Earlier than the beginning of COVID, we got here right here yearly. And this time I take my household to come back right here.”

Thailand’s tourism authority is anticipating arrival numbers for final 12 months to have exceeded 11.5 million, simply over 1 / 4 of the document of practically 40 million in pre-pandemic 2019, who spent about 1.91 trillion baht ($55.17 billion).

The about-face on the vaccine rule follows comparable coverage U-turns by Thailand throughout the pandemic which have brought on widespread confusion amongst travellers about its entry necessities.

Thailand will nonetheless require foreigners to indicate proof of medical health insurance cowl for COVID-19 if their subsequent vacation spot requires a unfavorable pre-entry check, Mr Anutin mentioned.

(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)