Thailand: Officials tighten COVID-19 rules in five provinces as of Jan. 7 /update 35

Event

Thailand has tightened restrictions aimed at stemming the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Chanthaburi, Chonburi, Rayong, Samut Sakhon, and Trat provinces as of Jan. 7. People can only enter or exit the localities for essential reasons; the authorities' criteria for essential reasons is unclear. Checkpoints are in place to inspect passengers entering and exiting the areas. People leaving the provinces must obtain documents from local officials to present at the checkpoints. Residents in the localities must also download contract tracing applications. The local governments' level of enforcement of the protocols is unclear.

The central authorities also categorize the five aforementioned provinces and 23 other localities as "red zones" in central Thailand. The country's color-coded risk-classification structure consists of four tiers ranging from "green" to "red" in order of increasing risk of infection. The 23 other localities include Bangkok, as well as Ang Thong, Chachoengsao, Chumphon, Kanchanaburi, Lopburi, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phetchaburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Prachinburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Sa Kaeo, Samut Prakan, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Sing Buri, Suphan Buri, and Tak provinces.

The zones and the respective restrictions are as follows:

• Red: Educational institutions and entertainment venues, such as bars, karaoke outlets, and pubs, are suspended. Crowded activities such as meetings and seminars can take place only if the organizers have obtained approval from authorities. Shopping malls, supermarkets, convenience centers, exhibition halls, industrial areas, and workers' dormitories may open as long as they adhere to health protocols. Authorities prohibit migrant workers from leaving the areas and have set up checkpoints at entry and exit points. Provincial governors are allowed to impose additional restrictions on top of curbs mandated by the central government.

• Orange: Public activities are prohibited. Authorities allow small-scale private activities, including those among family and friends. Officials are limiting operating hours for commercial and industrial facilities. Transporting migrant workers out of the affected areas is suspended.

• Yellow: Authorities are enacting enhanced surveillance measures. Small-scale activities are allowed, and officials are imposing rules to reduce crowding.

• Green: Authorities are permitting small-scale activities and are implementing protocols to reduce crowding.

Additionally, authorities in several locations are enforcing commercial controls on top of the central government-mandated measures. Officials in Bangkok allow food establishments to only serve dine-in customers 0600-2100 daily, though they can still cater to takeaway orders at other times. Several provinces, including Buriram and Nakhon Ratchasima, require arrivals from Bangkok and other high-risk areas to isolate at their residence or a designated facility for 14 days. Additional localities may implement stricter measures in the coming weeks if local COVID-19 activity increases.

Travel Restrictions
Limited inbound tourist flights are operating. Cargo, emergency, and repatriation flights and government aircraft can continue operating. Thai authorities are allowing travelers from 56 locations to enter the country without visas. Passengers must still obtain a Certificate of Entry from a Thai embassy if they are foreigners, test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours before the trip, provide evidence of a quarantine facility booking, and isolate for two weeks at the designated facilities upon arrival. Officials have increased the length of visas from 30 to 45 days. The 56 locations are Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bahrain, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, the UK, the US, and Vietnam. People from all other locations must still obtain a special tourist visa to enter Thailand; these travelers must also quarantine at designated facilities for two weeks upon arrival.

Context

COVID-19 is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV). Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms include fever, fatigue, cough, difficulty breathing, sometimes worsening to pneumonia and kidney failure - especially in those with underlying medical conditions. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.

Resources

State COVID-19 Portal
Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (Thai language)
World Health Organization (WHO)