Day 5 PCR test dropped?

[Milk78]

Just seen this posted. Can anyone else confirm or has more information?

https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tourism/thailand-test-go-update-no-more-day-5-pre-paid-hotel-or-pcr-test

[TMax]

Richard Barrow just posted it on facebook.

Good news for tourists and returning expats. Starting in March, the requirement for the 2nd RT-PCR test on Day 5 will be dropped and replaced with a self-ATK test. In addition, the insurance will be reduced to $20,000.

UPDATES: You can register with the new rules from 1st March onwards. Which means fly to Thailand on 7 March onwards.

Only book one night SHA++ hotel while waiting for results

Only book one RT-PCR test

Minimum insurance reduced from $50,000 to $20,000

[Milk78]

Is ATK a Lateral Flow Test? Can I bring my own tests with me, or do i have to get them in Thailand? 

Do you have to document your result somewhere - or is it just on the individual's say so that they have taken it/ had a negative test result? 

Lots of questions, but seems like good news!

[Londoner]

Thanks for posting this....the latest "intimations" suggested that there would be no changes. It's made my day!

[reader]

From Tourism Authority of Thailand

The following new rules will be in effect from 1 March, 2022 (travellers can enter into Thailand on 7 March, 2022).

Points of entry:

• By air (direct international flight or transit domestically via dedicated flights.)
• By land (at the border checkpoints in Nong Khai, Udon Thani, and Songkhla.)
• By water (yachts.)

Eligible travellers / countries:

• For arrivals by air and water: Thai citizens and foreign travellers from all countries/territories.
• For arrivals by land: Thai citizens and foreign travellers from neighbouring countries connecting with the reopened border checkpoints (Nong Khai, Udon Thani, and Songkhla).

Entry registration system:

• For arrivals by air and land: Thailand Pass system.
• For arrivals by water: Certificate of Entry system.

Quarantine requirement:

• For arrivals by air and land: No quarantine, but on Day 1 must wait for the COVID-19 test result within an approved SHA Extra Plus (SHA++) or alternative quarantine facility.
• For arrivals by water: No quarantine, but on Day 1 must wait for the COVID-19 test result on board the travelling vessel (yacht).

Accommodation requirement:

• A proof of prepayment for 1 night of accommodation at government-approved hotel/s; such as, SHA Extra Plus (SHA++) on Day 1.

Health insurance:

• An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$20,000. Thais and foreign expatriates under Thailand’s national healthcare coverage are exempt from this requirement.

COVID-19 testing requirements:

• For arrivals by air and land: First test on Day 1 by an RT-PCR method (wait for the result within the hotel), and the second test on Day 5 by a self-ATK method (must report/record the result via the application).
• For arrivals by water: First test on Day 1 by an RT-PCR method (wait for the result on board the vessel), and the second on Day 5 by a self-ATK method (must report/record the result via the application). 

Existing requirements/rules remain unchanged:

• A Medical Certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected issued no more than 72 hours before travelling.
• A Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination/Recovery.

Current Rules

(An update that reflects the new rules will be available from 1 March, 2022, onwards.)

Fully vaccinated travellers from any country around the world can apply for a TEST & GO Thailand Pass under the following requirements.

Eligible travellers
• Thai citizens.
• Foreign travellers, including but not limited to diplomats, guests of the government, Thai work permit holders, students and their family, and patients seeking medical treatment.

Eligible countries
• All countries/territories.

This information has been updated on 23 February, 2022.

https://www.tatnews.org/2022/02/thailand-reopening-exemption-from-quarantine-test-go/

[winterjanu]

Only dropping one of three RT-PCR tests required, slightly disappointed but expected from Thailand being slow in removing restrictions.

[Milk78]

3 minutes ago, winterjanu said:

Only dropping one of three RT-PCR tests required, slightly disappointed but expected from Thailand being slow in removing restrictions.

True, but the Day 5 test was, for me, the most contentious. Yes, you could still test positive with a lateral flow of course, but the restriction of location and additional cost was annoying. 

In truth it is probably not that much of a reduction in restrictions, but it does feel like a bit of a shift and somehow less anxiety inducing. 

[Londoner]

Yes; and having shown willingness to respond to industry pressures, perhaps the next step- the withdrawal of the first night ASQ stay- will be the next to go in a month or two.

[Guest]

The next step should be to drop all arrivals testing, as some other countries have done.

Covid + vaccine is equivalent to flu, on average.

Covid + no vaccine is a voluntary condition.

[tm_nyc]

It's definitely a step in the right direction but testing positive on Day 5 is still going to be a huge, expensive hassle, regardless of what test you do.  Let's hope the next step is to drop the Day 5 test altogether.  Meanwhile, Thai COVID case & death numbers are continuing  to rise...

[Guest]

1 hour ago, tm_nyc said:

testing positive on Day 5 is still going to be a huge, expensive hassle, regardless of what test you do

If you do a lateral flow self test, you have the option of reporting a negative result (and for those of us with some ethics, isolating in your room until you get a genuine pass).

That's far cheaper than being quarantined. 

As for the statistics, well case numbers no longer matter, as most cases are mild.   

The daily deaths are also low.  About half the daily deaths for road traffic accidents and nobody in power seems to care about the latter.   So I don't see why covid should be a special case.  

The covid deaths will include many voluntary cases, where people declined a vaccine.   Although, I suppose road traffic deaths include many too stupid to wear helmets or seatbelts, so it's a similar principle. 

[caeron]

 

I submitted my paperwork to Thai Pass yesterday, and woke up to it in my inbox this morning.

So, annoying as it may be, they're apparently processing swiftly at the moment.

[vaughn]

7 hours ago, tm_nyc said:

It's definitely a step in the right direction but testing positive on Day 5 is still going to be a huge, expensive hassle, regardless of what test you do.  Let's hope the next step is to drop the Day 5 test altogether.  Meanwhile, Thai COVID case & death numbers are continuing  to rise...

I've heard some people who arrived last time ATK day 5 was required to just take the ATK test as soon as their PCR day 1 test result was negative, then just uploaded the photo on day 5.

I'm not encouraging anyone to do that, but it's something I heard of happening from a few people so they aren't anxious about results for 5 days.

[caeron]

 

Well, I've paid for a day 5 PCR test I won't need, but since I'm going on to the Philippines afterwards which requires one, I think I'll just pretend the day or so before my trip onward is my "day 5", so I don't have to pay for another test.

The system does seem subject to abuse.

[vinapu]

12 hours ago, z909 said:

The next step should be to drop all arrivals testing, as some other countries have done.

 

at least for those   double vaccinated for starters

[vinapu]

4 hours ago, vaughn said:

I've heard some people who arrived last time ATK day 5 was required to just take the ATK test as soon as their PCR day 1 test result was negative, then just uploaded the photo on day 5.

 

of course, all that ATK nonsense is just haze and smoke to show that something is done

[Milk78]

Anyone know if I have to buy my lateral flow test for Day 5 in Thailand, or can I bring my free NHS ones and use that? 

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Milk78 said:

Anyone know if I have to buy my lateral flow test for Day 5 in Thailand, or can I bring my free NHS ones and use that? 

Back in November, the lateral flow kit was supplied by the ASQ hotel when checking out on day 1/2.  So it was included in the ASQ hotel fee.

Reverting to thst system would be the logical way to implement an illogical policy.

[reader]

From Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)

UTravellers can arrive in Thailand by air, land, and water with the required prepaid accommodation reduced to 1 night and the COVID-19 tests revised to 1 RT-PCR and 1 self-ATK. The health insurance coverage has also been reduced to no less than US$20,000.PDATED! TEST & GO rules from 1 March 2022

The following rules will be in effect from 1 March, 2022, and will also apply to travellers who have applied/obtained the TEST & GO Thailand Pass or Certificate of Entry with scheduled arrivals from this date.

Points of entry:

• By air (direct international flight or transit domestically via dedicated flights.)
• By land (at the border checkpoints in Nong Khai, Udon Thani, and Songkhla.)
• By water (yachts.)

Eligible travellers / countries:

• For arrivals by air and water: Fully vaccinated Thai citizens and foreign travellers from all countries/territories.
• For arrivals by land: Fully vaccinated Thai citizens and foreign travellers from neighbouring countries connecting with the reopened border checkpoints (Nong Khai, Udon Thani, and Songkhla).

Pre-Arrival Requirements

All travellers must have the following documents for entering Thailand:

1. A Thailand Pass (via https://tp.consular.go.th/) for arrivals by air and land; or a Certificate of Entry (via a Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate-General) for arrivals by water.
2. A Medical Certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected issued no more than 72 hours before travelling.
   • Travellers under 6 years of age, travelling with parents with a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours before travelling, are not required to have a pre-arrival negative RT-PCR test result and can have a saliva test when entering the Kingdom.
   • For arrivals by water, everyone on board the vessels must have a medical certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected within the officially specified time frame. Anyone on aboard with a history of COVID-19 infection within a period between 14-90 days must have a medical certificate of recovery.
3. An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$20,000. Thais and foreign expatriates under Thailand’s national healthcare coverage are exempt from this requirement.
   • TAT recommends that travellers make sure to check the small print of any COVID-19 insurance policy before purchasing. Ultimately, the policy should cover the cost of treatment and other medical expenses associated with being infected with COVID-19, including in-patient hospitalisation, hospital isolation, hotel isolation, or related quarantine. The insurance policy should also cover the whole duration that travellers are planning to stay in Thailand, plus at least 10 extra days as a precautionary measure in the event that the traveller’s second swab test result returns as positive.
4. A proof of prepayment for 1 night of accommodation at government-approved hotel/s; such as, SHA Extra Plus (SHA++) on Day 1, which should also include the expenses for 1 RT-PCR test on Day 1 and 1 Antigen Self-Test Kit (self-ATK) on Day 5.  
5. A Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination/Recovery
   • Everyone 18 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 with an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand.
   • Travellers 12-17 years of age travelling to Thailand unaccompanied must get vaccinated with at least 1 dose of an approved vaccine. Those travelling with parents are exempt from this requirement.
   • Travellers 6-11 years of age, travelling with parents, are exempt from this requirement.
   • For arrivals by water, everyone on board must be fully vaccinated. This is except for travellers under 18 years of age, travelling with parents or guardians.
   • Travellers with a history of COVID-19 infection who have recovered by medical treatment, and travellers who have received at least 1 dose of an approved vaccine after post-infection must have a certificate of COVID-19 recovery.

All travellers must undergo ‘exit screening’ at the point of departure, i.e., at the airline check-in counter and present the required documents to the person-in-charge to carry out the checks.

On-Arrival Requirements / During the Stay

1. All travellers must undergo entry screening including body temperature check, and presenting the required documents to the Immigration/Health Control officer to carry out the checks.
   • 1.1 Arrivals by air:
     • Arrivals on a direct flight to Thailand’s international airport: At the point of entry.
     • Arrivals with domestic connecting flights: At either the first point of entry before boarding the transit flight, or at the final airport.
   • 1.2 Arrivals by land and water: at the point of entry. 
2. Proceed to the prearranged accommodation or medical facility to undergo the Day 1 RT-PCR test. *Travellers under 6 years of age, travelling with parents, can have a saliva test.
   • 2.1 Arrivals by air and land: The trip must be by a prearranged vehicle on a sealed route within a travelling time of no longer than 5 hours. Then, all travellers must wait for the test result within the hotel only.
   • 2.2 Arrivals by water: All travellers must wait for the test result on board the travelling vessel (yacht).
     • Travellers whose test result returns as negative are free to go anywhere in Thailand, but will be provided with 1 Antigen Self-Test Kit for a self-test on Day 5 and be required to report/record the result via the MorChana application or another specified application.
     • Travellers whose test result returns as positive will be referred for appropriate medical treatment in accordance with Thailand’s Communicable Diseases Act B.E. 2558 (2015). The expenses must be covered by the required insurance / own expense for foreign travellers, or national healthcare coverage for Thais and eligible foreign expatriates.
       • Pending on their conditions, they may be medically advised to receive treatment in either hospital hotel isolation or community isolation.
       • During receiving the medical treatment – at least 10 days, they must remain in their accommodation only. They should not leave their accommodation unless utmost necessary, and must notify the Communicable Disease Control officer in-charge.
       • After having recovered from COVID-19, they will receive a medical certificate of recovery.
3. While in Thailand, travellers are advised to strictly follow standard, good personal hygiene practices; such as, wear a mask in public, maintain hand hygiene (washing with soap and water or using hand sanitiser), and keep physical distance of at least 1 metre from others.
   • Travellers who are experiencing COVID-like symptoms should get tested. If testing positive they must get appropriate medical treatment.
4. All travellers must download and install the MorChana application, and set it on at all times for the COVID-19 precautionary measures and to record the self-ATK result on Day 5 in the application.
   • The self-ATK on Day 5 will not be required if the traveller’s length of stay is less than 5 nights, or his/her scheduled international departure date out of Thailand is on Day 5 or before. For example, if the traveller plans to stay in Thailand for 3 days, then he/she does not have to report the self-ATK result, but he/she must leave for another country immediately. However, the traveller may be required to take another test depending on the airline and the final international destination.

Guidelines for Domestic/International Departure

For domestic departure, travellers must show proof that they have received a negative result for their Day 1 RT-PCR test.

For international departure, it is the responsibility of travellers or their organisations to make sure that the travellers meet the requirements of their specific international destination regardless of the point of departure.

Kindly note the information is to serve as reference only. It is especially important to check in regularly on www.tatnews.org to stay current on what remains a very fluid and fast changing situation.

=======================================

For updated Sandbox requirements:

https://www.tatnews.org/2022/02/thailand-reopening-living-in-the-blue-zone-17-sandbox-destinations/

 

[reader]

From The Thaiger

Hoteliers asked to issue refunds to Test & Go travellers for Day 5 packages

With the government scrapping the Day 5 requirements for Test & Go travellers, more than 2,000 hotels and their partner hospitals or test centres are being asked to refund the costs of a night stay with Covid-19 RT-PCR testing. Under the revised entry requirements, travellers can take a self-administered antigen test instead of a PCR test on the fifth day of their stay and they are no longer required to book a stay at an approved hotel while they wait for the results.

The hotels are being asked to voluntarily refund the cost of the room, or at least convert the pre-paid booking into credits. Hoteliers are also being asked to work with their partner hospitals and testing centres to refund the 2,000 baht for a PCR test.

The Thai government has said they will not require hoteliers to issue refunds for the Test & Go packages, but an official from the Tourism Authority of Thailand argues that some hoteliers have said they need a legal order from the government as their cancellation policies do not cover the refund. If a full refund isn’t possible, they will be asked to convert the payments into credits, according to TAT’s deputy governor for marketing communications, Siripakorn Cheawsamoot.

“The Tourism and Sports Ministry will issue an announcement asking cooperation from hotels to refund the fifth day expense to their guests. This rule is definitely not mandatory. Hotels are encouraged to manage those bookings according to their own cancellation policy. If refund is not possible, they should consider converting payments into credits or vouchers for in-house services or restaurants.”

[reader]

From The Thaiger

Tourism industry pushes for scrapping of Thailand Pass and PCR testing

Key figures in Thailand’s tourism industry have renewed their calls for the Thailand Pass and PCR testing on arrival to be scrapped.

Speaking at the Thailand Tourism Forum in Bangkok yesterday, the chairman of global hotel operator Minor International, renewed his call for the government to ditch the Thailand Pass system. Bill Heinecke has been vocal on issues affecting tourism’s recovery for some time, penning an open letter to PM Prayut Chan-o-cha at the start of the year, urging him to reinstate the suspended Test & Go entry scheme.

Addressing forum attendees yesterday, Heinecke said the government must now lift all restrictions on international visitors immediately if Thailand is to remain competitive. Thailand was the first country in the region to re-open its borders but the near-total lifting of restrictions in other countries now means it’s lagging behind. Neighbouring Cambodia has completely opened up, as have the Philippines, the Middle East, many European countries, and the UK and US.

Heinecke has warned that the government’s aim of attracting 10 million tourists this year is in jeopardy if the current rules remain. Instead, Thailand risks only seeing 10% of pre-pandemic numbers, or around 4 million. Despite a recently agreed travel bubble between India and Thailand, Heinecke points out that there are still no flights between the 2 countries. Adding to the existing challenges is Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which Heinecke says has led to cancellations from all over the world.

The president of the Thai Hotels Association also expressed her concern for the industry if the current requirement for PCR testing on arrival remains. Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi says the number of infected international arrivals is negligible when compared to cases of community transmission. She says if the government really is serious about encouraging its citizens to live with the virus, which it plans to declare endemic by June, it needs to abolish the Test & Go entry scheme and allow people to arrive with proof of vaccination and a pre-departure negative PCR test result.

==============================

From Richardbarrow.com

The infection rate of all travellers entering Thailand

November: 0.13%

December: 0.45%

January: 3.73%

February: 2.25%

March: 1.43%

• ·       Test & Go: 0.92%
• ·       Sandbox: 4.50%
• ·       Quarantine: 2.11%

========================================= 

The Ministry of Public Health’s permanent secretary said 95% of cases are now either asymptomatic or mild, meaning there is no need for most people who are infected to receive medical treatment at hospitals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

4 hours ago, reader said:

Test & Go: 0.92%

          Sandbox: 4.50%

•          Quarantine: 2.11%

Last time I looked, all nations were eligible for test & go.  

So either this data covers a longer period, back to bookings made before everyone was eligible for Test & Go, or there are people making silly decisions and choosing Sandbox, when they could do Test and Go.

Anyone reading this ought to choose test & go, as you have just ONE chance of being caught with a PCR test after arriving, plus a lateral flow test, which is less sensitive.     In fact, I don't ever recall anyone posting here even contemplating doing a sandbox, once Test & Go was open. 

[emiel1981]

5 hours ago, z909 said:

Last time I looked, all nations were eligible for test & go.  

So either this data covers a longer period, back to bookings made before everyone was eligible for Test & Go, or there are people making silly decisions and choosing Sandbox, when they could do Test and Go.

Anyone reading this ought to choose test & go, as you have just ONE chance of being caught with a PCR test after arriving, plus a lateral flow test, which is less sensitive.     In fact, I don't ever recall anyone posting here even contemplating doing a sandbox, once Test & Go was open. 

Isn't test & go only available for fully vaccinated people? So the ones who choose to enter via the sandbox scheme are probably not vaccinated...? 

[Guest]

46 minutes ago, emiel1981 said:

Isn't test & go only available for fully vaccinated people? So the ones who choose to enter via the sandbox scheme are probably not vaccinated...? 

Good point.   And 4.5% of them will be incarcerated for 10 days or so, so that's ample time to reflect on poor decision making.

[vinapu]

16 hours ago, reader said:

......., it needs to abolish the Test & Go entry scheme and allow people to arrive with proof of vaccination and a pre-departure negative PCR test result.

 

even test should be abolished if they dream about returning to normal numbers, it's just expensive nuisance. I know about at least 3 people including one forum member who are waiting for that to be abolished and after spending nearly 1000 $ for PRC tests in last 9 months travelling here and there and returning home even I have second thoughts