Sandbox quarantine period upped to seven days

The past couple months have shown the revival of Thailand’s tourism industry. With shortened – and even abolished – quarantine periods and vaccine travel lanes coming into place, it seemed like the travel landscape was starting to shift towards pre-Covid norms.

However, reports of the new Covid-19 variant suggest an obstacle.

The government has recently announced that the quarantine period for travellers coming into Thailand under “Sandbox” programmes will increase by two days from 16th December 2021.

Here are the details behind the announcement.

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Quarantine extended from 16th December 

Overseas “Sandbox” travellers will have to quarantine for seven days, instead of five, starting from 16th December 2021.

The announcement was made by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on 13th December 2021, as written in Bangkok Post.

Mr. Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman of the CCSA, explained that the increased quarantine period was implemented to of pre-empt the spread of the Omicron Covid-19 variant in Thailand.

The administration has also put travel bans in place to curb the spread of the virus.

Travellers banned from eight African countries

From 1st December 2021, visitors from Mozambique, South Africa, Namibia, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Botswana and Lesotho will not be allowed into Thailand, according to Bangkok Post.

Exceptions to the ban include diplomats and Thai nationals.

While Thailand hasn’t imposed travel bans on other African countries, travellers coming from the continent will be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine.

Furthermore, they will not be allowed to participate in the Test and Go scheme.

Keep yourself and others safe

While the implementation of stringent measures may suggest a regression in Thailand’s travel landscape revival, we’re hopeful that they will instead facillitate the nation’s steady progress towards pre-Covid travel norms.

In the meantime, we can do our part in keeping ourselves and others safe by wearing our masks, washing our hands and maintaining social distancing.

Cover image adapted from: AFP via The Star

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