THAILAND today announced more Covid-19 restrictions, including an indefinite extension to the suspension of its quarantine-free “Test and Go” entry programme, as it bids to contain the spread of Covid.

However, Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokesman Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin said current Thailand Pass holders would not be affected as they could still enter the kingdom without undergoing quarantine until January 15. 

He added that new applications for the entry programme will not be approved until further notice. 

“We will make changes if the situations improves,” he said at a press conference in Bangkok today. 

Starting December 22, Thailand halted its quarantine-free entry programme and also most of the “sandbox” programme, except for Phuket, to halt the spread of the Omicron variant.

Meanwhile, Taweesin said the “sandbox” programme will be expanded to other resort islands – Koh Phang-nga, Krabi, Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan (Surat Thani province) – starting Monday. 

Under the “sandbox” programme, tourists are allowed to move freely during their stay but will remain in the specific location for seven days before travelling to other provinces. 

The announcement came after a CCSA meeting chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. 

Covid-19 cases in Thailand continue to surge and over the last 24 hours, it recorded 7,526 new cases and 19 deaths, bringing the infection tally in the kingdom to 2.25 million and fatalities toll to 21,799. 

Meanwhile, Taweesin said Thailand would also lift an entry ban on travellers from eight African countries – Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe – it had previously designated as high-risk, starting Monday. 

To contain local transmissions, Taweesin said entertainment outlets will remain closed. 

He said restaurant and eateries in eight tourism provinces including the capital Bangkok, Kanchanaburi and Phuket can serve alcoholic beverages until 9pm from Sunday. 

However, he said the other 69 provinces are banned from serving alcoholic beverages. 

Taweesin also advised those in the public and private sectors to continue working from home until the end of this month. – Bernama, January 7, 2022.