Quarantine to return (today's rumour)

[StevieWonders]

Thai News Reports (usually reliable) is reporting the following this morning: "According to local media, the Minister of Public Health said in an interview that he will propose to the CCSA to cancel Test and Go and bring back quarantine for everyone. This is expected to be discussed soon. Thailand has found 63 Omicron cases & 20 more are pending results."

[StevieWonders]

It’s now being reported by the Bangkok Post (so it must be true) - https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2234887

[StevieWonders]

It’s all over, folks - PM Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday afternoon said Thailand will no longer accept any further applications from international travelers for quarantine exemption until further notice, starting today.

Prayut said he gave the order to suspend the “Test and Go” program during a meeting with the government’s coronavirus response center. Accordingly, the Thailand Pass system, which is required by travelers to forego quarantine provided that they test negative for COVID-19 on arrival, will stop accepting new applications.

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/2021/12/21/prayut-orders-immediate-suspension-of-test-go-registration/

[StevieWonders]

Further details are on the Coconuts site: https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/thailand-suspends-tourism-as-omicron-rises/

It seems to me to be the cleanest break. Anyone already registered can continue to travel provided they don’t plan to arrive further in the future than roughly a fortnight; the suspension can be lifted at any time

[StevieWonders]

12010

[StevieWonders]

All Sandboxes apart from the Phuket original are also suspended - https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailand-limits-arrivals-with-thailand-pass-sandbox-partially-suspended-over-omicron-concerns/

[StevieWonders]

12015

[StevieWonders]

Rumour on Nikkei Asia that Singapore is following Thailand's lead, in Singapore's case Singapore is halting sales of new tickets for inbound flights and buses under the quarantine-free entry programs.

Update: confirmed by Reuters - https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/singapore-freeze-new-ticket-sales-quarantine-free-travel-2021-12-22/

[Oliver2]

Keep your fingers crossed for the promised 4th January review...but I'm pessimistic. Anyone prepared to admit to any optimism at all?

[StevieWonders]

Keep your fingers crossed for the promised 4th January review...but I'm pessimistic. Anyone prepared to admit to any optimism at all?Too early IMHO - they won't have started counting the new cases that will come about by Bangkok residents traveling back to their village of origin and "spreading the love" over the New Year break. February 4 sounds more realistic to me.