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Thailand has confirmed that its popular Test & Go method for entry into the country is set to return – with a few changes in place. The wildly popular travel destination shut down the quarantine free entry method just before Christmas due to fears over the Omicron variant and a rise in the number of inbound travelers testing positive upon arrival. However, following a meeting of the country's Covid-19 committee, it was confirmed that the scheme would be coming back – to the delight of travelers around the world.
The relaunch of the Test & Go entry method is the latest in a long list of reopening attempts the country has made, including the more restrictive mandatory quarantine and the Phuket Sandbox method. Here's a look at what is set to change with the relaunch, plus a reminder of the requirements travelers need to fulfil to enter via Test & Go and what the Covid-19 situation is like in Thailand at present.
Test & Go Returns – Information For Travelers
Thailand's Test & Go method for entering the country is set to return, with registration for the system set to start from February 1st. This was confirmed today following a meeting by the Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) in the wake of cases of Covid-19 slowing down in the country. However, it was also revealed that the relaunched version of Test & Go will be slightly different to the previous one, as Thailand looks to take a more cautious approach to reopening this time around.
The most significant change regards PCR testing once in the country, as travelers must now test on arrival and again once more five days later. Whereas the previous iteration of Test & Go saw travelers only needing to stay in a hotel for one night whilst waiting for the results of their PCR test on arrival to come through, the relaunch of Test & Go will see travelers having to repeat the process once more from February 1st.
Whilst they do not have to stay in hotel quarantine between the two tests, they must stay in a hotel overnight on the night of their day 1 and day 5 tests, until their results are available. In between the two PCR tests, travelers must also agree to have their whereabouts tracked, in order to trace potential contacts in the event of a positive test.
Travelers planning to enter via Test & Go will need to apply for a Thailand Pass in order to enter the country. Based on the previous Test & Go and current sandbox requirements, travelers will need to ensure they have:
- A vaccination certificate
- A pre-arrival negative RT-PCR test result
- Confirmation of stay in hotel for day 1 with PCR test upon arrival
- An insurance policy with coverage of no less than $50,000
With the new testing requirement, it's likely that evidence of a hotel and PCR test booking will be required too, but that is yet to be confirmed.
Thailand is currently reporting a seven day average of just 7,515 cases of Covid-19. The country is also set to relax laws concerning the sale of alcohol, with restaurants now allowed to serve alcohol until 11PM, as the situation around the country continues to ease.
Mask wearing is compulsory throughout the country in both outdoor and indoor public spaces, and travelers should be aware the country is planning to charge an entry fee from April.
Read More:
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International Airlines Cancel Flights To The U.S. Over 5G Concerns
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Adam
Tuesday 25th of January 2022
PCR test, no visa on arrival, full vaccination, extra tests after arrival, blah blah blah. Who cares about Thailand if they can just go to Mexico or Dominican Republic without all that hassle and risk of rules changed every 3 days? If TH wants to be a tourist destination, perhaps they should grow up and understand tourists are not morons.
Howard
Sunday 23rd of January 2022
Bringing back covid games for entry and a adding an entrance fee will have people rushing back? Mexico, UK, Ireland, etc. have to decide to end their covid games this week. Others will follow. Thailand wants to be the last to the party?
CARL
Saturday 22nd of January 2022
My question is the first night in a hotel to havd covid test but on the 5th day i will be in my own house ,do i have to book another hotel ?? If so where ? In Bangkok ? I am a Thai family member and married to a Thai citezen ...
dave
Saturday 22nd of January 2022
pre entry pcr test + 2 pcr test in thailand then another pcr test departure, then maybe a random pcr test at arival airport, so total of 5 pcr test, seems a bit too complicated an expensive i just arrive from thail;and im canadien i had to do a total of 4 pcr test 2 in thailand a pre and departure also, very expensive
William Roberts
Friday 21st of January 2022
Good luck with that disorganized nightmare for the second test once in.Counyry I had to do it because I was one of the "lucky" ones who were approved under test and go. Had to go back to the hospital in Koh Phangan 3 times to get the second pcr done. First time I showed up at 10AM and they said they weren't taking any more people that day, but they would take my information and I would have priority the next day. Keep in mind I called before I went there and asked when I could come to get it done and was told "anytime from 8AM to 11AM. Nothing was mentioned about a cutoff. I go back the next day and the parking lot had hundreds of people in it. I waited in line in the blazing hot sun for 3 hours and finally had to leave to test my blood sugar because I'm a diabetic. Third time I waited 4 1/2 hours and finally got it done. It was a completely disorganized mess. 2 weeks later and I still don't have my results from the test that were supposed to be emailed. I wasted 10 hours of my holiday time just for this 1 test. If you figure in the test I had to take from home and the test when I arrived plus the mandatory overnight quarantine, that's more than 48 hours of my valuable holiday time I'm having to spend on government bureaucratic red tape just for the pleasure of spending my money in Thailand.