The tourism hotspot Thailand is all set to reopen Phuket for International tourists from October 1st. The announcement was recently made by the governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Yuthasak Supasorn.
The reopening will be done on experimental basis i.e. it will be a test to check if reopening tourism sector amid the current scenario would be successful or not.
To ensure maximum safety and contain the spread of the virus, the Thailand govt has taken up some strict guidelines for the tourists beyond borders.
The guidelines are as follows.
- Foreign Tourists must fly directly into Phuket.
- A negative PCR test result may be required on arrival.
- The tourists will have to stay in Thailand for at least a month i.e 30 days.
- Shorter trips will not be allowed.
- Out of the minimum 30 days stay, the tourists will have to spend their first 14 days in quarantine at their hotels.
- They will be given access to common areas of the hotel property along with possible access to beaches in some cases.
- After the 14 day quarantine is over, Tourists will have to register 2 PCR tests with negative results to leave the hotel premises.
- If they want to travel outside Phuket, then they will have to undergo a 3rd PCR test which will be performed in the 3rd week of their stay.
The Thailand govt has also suggested the hotel staff to remain at the hotel itself instead of going back to their respective places. This step has been taken to contain the spreading of the virus unknowingly among the families and communities of the staff.
The govt is yet to decide on the countries from where the tourists will be allowed to enter Thailand.
Earlier, the tourism authority had said that Thailand was unlikely to open for foreign tourists until next year. Read more here.
(Feature image source: Lonely planet)
