Starting today, travellers entering Thailand are no longer required to do the Covid-19 RT-PCR pre-travel test prior to the flight. The protocol after landing, however, still varies.
It’s been a rough ride, but the government’s Covid task force has finally decided to lift another restriction concerning the virus. Vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers are now welcome on board without the official requirement for the pre-arrival RT-PCR test, but they will still need to take the test after landing. Moreover, it’s still possible that some airlines still impose the PCR or ATK requirements or other documentation before flying.
[Hero and featured image credit: Markus Winkler/Unsplash]
In order to invite more tourists to explore the charms of Thailand, the pre-travel RT-PCR test has been discarded. Travellers only need to apply for the Thailand Pass QR code through the official website.
Upon their arrival, fully-vaccinated tourists under the Test & Go scheme will need to stay in the SHA+ hotels during their first night in the country while waiting for the test results. A self-administered ATK test has to be reported on their 5th day via the Mor Prom application as well.
Unvaccinated tourists or those who do not meet the vaccine requirement will need to undergo Alternative Quarantine and stay isolated at any SHA+ hotels for five days. An ATK or RT-PCR test is also required on the check-out date.
The lift of pre-travel RT-PCR test is one step toward the plan to declare Covid-19 as endemic, which is expected to be announced by July 1, 2022. Other protocols to reduce the infection and death rates are gradually being implemented, such as more accessible medical treatment and vaccine boosters. However, regarding the upcoming Songkran celebration, the proposed date may have to be reconsidered if the infected rate spikes up again.
Paint Chayanin
Lifestyle Writer, Bangkok
In spite of her name, Paint can't really paint or even draw. Life, for her, is a journey in search of good chocolates, fries, chicken wings, and the implication behind her fat cats' split personalities.