'Swab hubs' for arriving tourists

[reader]

From Bangkok Post

Bangkok is set to reopen to fully vaccinated international visitors next month with "swab hubs" being set up to test tourists upon their arrival in the capital.

Bangkok governor Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang said that the government has laid down a policy to reopen the country on Nov 1 and precautions include testing and quarantine measures.

As for the shortening of nighttime curfew hours starting on Saturday, City Hall will wait for an official announcement of the easing of virus curbs to be published in the Royal Gazette, Pol Gen Aswin said, adding that details regarding countdown events will then be discussed.

Pol Capt Pongsakorn Kwanmuang, City Hall spokesman, said that City Hall has put in place measures to welcome back foreign visitors that are in line with the government's reopening plan.

Bangkok needs to try and prevent transmissions among residents and foreign visitors so City Hall will set up Covid-19 screening points in the capital, similar to Phuket, he said.

In Phuket, screening points are set up at hotels where tourists check-in. But City Hall plans to set up swab hubs across the capital to carry out swab tests on foreign visitors. They will then be quarantined at hotels and wait for the result of RT-PCR tests, the spokesman said.

Measures will also be in place to contain transmissions, particularly at night entertainment venues which may be allowed to resume operations on Dec 1.

Measures include carrying out rapid antigen tests and administering vaccines in Bangkok's popular tourist spots, Pol Capt Pongsakorn said.

Asked about the Tourism and Sports Ministry's plan to invite Andrea Bocelli, the world-renowned Italian opera tenor, to perform at a countdown event in Bangkok, Pol Capt Pongsakorn said that City Hall cannot make a decision on the matter as approval must be sought from the Public Health Ministry and the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

She also said the CCSA on Friday discussed a proposal by the Foreign Affairs Ministry for foreign visitors who have received two vaccine shots with the result of RT-PCR test before arrival to use the Thailand Plus tracing app instead of the certificate of entry, Dr Apisamai said.

She added that this will reduce their time of seeking permission to enter Thailand from 3-6 to 1-3 days.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2198587/swab-hubs-for-arriving-tourists

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Clear entry edicts demanded now

Tourism operators urged the Thai government to issue clear and definitive entry regulations for foreigners as soon as possible or the country stands to lose out on lucrative markets in the high season.

The Russian government indicated it plans to lift the ban on international commercial flights with Thailand from Nov 9.

Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, acting president of the Chon Buri Tourism Council, said tour operators such as Pegas Touristik cannot sell packages to Russians nor operate charter flights here without clear regulations.

He said if the government plans to replace the certificate of entry (CoE) system with the Thailand Pass, tour operators need to know more details about the new system to prepare their operations in advance.

"If complete travel requirements are not announced soon, the country might lose the chance to welcome the Russian market this high season, as they will choose destinations with more convenient entry," Mr Thanet said.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2198779/clear-entry-edicts-demanded-now

[Patanawet]

6 hours ago, reader said:

From Bangkok Post

Bangkok is set to reopen to fully vaccinated international visitors next month with "swab hubs" being set up to test tourists upon their arrival in the capital.

Bangkok governor Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang said that the government has laid down a policy to reopen the country on Nov 1 and precautions include testing and quarantine measures.

In Phuket, screening points are set up at hotels where tourists check-in. But City Hall plans to set up swab hubs across the capital to carry out swab tests on foreign visitors. They will then be quarantined at hotels and wait for the result of RT-PCR tests, the spokesman said.

 

So do these swab tests need an overnight quarantine to await results?

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Patanawet said:

So do these swab tests need an overnight quarantine to await results?

This is what we will all want to know.    Particularly at present, when with a reduced range of flights, we might be arriving at 6:00 am.

Thailand will get more visitors if they do rapid tests on arrival.   The obvious thing to do is put the resources in and make sure the charges cover the testing.  It's just a case of whether they want to do that.   

In the case of the Phuket Sandbox, I have seen reports of people being tested in the morning and getting the result around 5:00 pm.

 

 

8 hours ago, reader said:

Measures include carrying out rapid antigen tests and administering vaccines in Bangkok's popular tourist spots, Pol Capt Pongsakorn said.

Who will get the vaccines in the popular tourist spots ?    

Most incoming tourists will have had 2 vaccinations already.    Meanwhile, after a slow start, Thailand is already vaccinating the locals at a rapid pace with existing vaccination centres.  I guess about 70% will be fully vaccinated by the end of November.

 

 

[Londoner]

Yes..... a day or night on a plane, arrival at BKK at an inconvenient time, a test, imprisoned in a designated hotel for the night, a wait for the result. And then travel to Pattaya or wherever. Too many days lost.

By the way, the vaccination figures are reassuring but remember that most use a vaccine that is less  effective against the new variant. My boyfriend is waiting for Pfizer's arrival. I'd rather  he take what's on offer but I| understand his reasoning. He requires a vaccination that is recognised in the UK for his visa.

[Boy69]

4 hours ago, z909 said:

  I guess about 70% will be fully vaccinated by the end of November.

 

Yes but most of the vaccinated are with the unreliable and inefficiency  Chinese Sinovac.

[Guest]

3 hours ago, Londoner said:

Yes..... a day or night on a plane, arrival at BKK at an inconvenient time, a test, imprisoned in a designated hotel for the night, a wait for the result. And then travel to Pattaya or wherever. Too many days lost.

Almost a day traveling.   Incarceration for one night. 89 days in Thailand.    Almost a day traveling home.    I can take that.     Although it will put a cap on the  number of short term tourists.

 

3 hours ago, Londoner said:

My boyfriend is waiting for Pfizer's arrival. I'd rather  he take what's on offer but I| understand his reasoning. He requires a vaccination that is recognised in the UK for his visa.

I was about to say the UK government recognizes Astra Zeneca, but apparently if ANY vaccine is administered in Thailand, they don't yet recognize it.  

 

[gerefan]

7 hours ago, Londoner said:

Yes..... a day or night on a plane, arrival at BKK at an inconvenient time, a test, imprisoned in a designated hotel for the night, a wait for the result. And then travel to Pattaya or wherever. Too many days lost.

 

I would sincerely hope that one could go straight to Pattaya and get the test done there. Pattaya Hotels currently offer the ASQ so I would hope it’s not a problem.
 

Having to go to BKK for the test would mean arriving in Pattaya at least two days later than planned.

[Boy69]

It's too complicated for me this year I will switch to Colombia ,No unnecessary complications for tourists ,plenty of attractive boys and same living costs as Thailand.

Sorry but the land of smiles is not smiling to Int'l travelers anymore.

[Boy69]

 

[vinapu]

5 hours ago, Boy69 said:

It's too complicated for me this year I will switch to Colombia ,No unnecessary complications for tourists ,plenty of attractive boys and same living costs as Thailand.

Sorry but the land of smiles is not smiling to Int'l travelers anymore.

I need to agree