Govt approves in-principle to allow ‘Travel Bubbles’

Apart from the curfew end and the 4th relaxation of its national lockdown with effective from June 15, Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, the spokesperson of the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) told that the meeting headed by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, as the Covid-19 pandemic taskforce’s head, has in-principle approved to allow ‘travel bubbles’ as proposed by the Tourism and Sports Ministry and Public Health Ministry.

The working committee will then propose those proactive and preventive measures to ensure that Thais and international tourists understand and comply with the rules and guidelines.   Proposed relaxation under ‘travel bubbles’ concept is now considered and implemented in some countries that are capable to control virus  spreading  such as Singapore, China, Isarel, Greece, Cyprus, Australia, New Zealand, Georgia.   Indicative target tourist groups to be allowed for Thai immigration are those businessmen and medical tourists who are high consumption spending with well-planned itinerary and specific purpose such as golf courses, hospitality.    Other considerations are countries that are well-proven in virus controlling,  international tourists are required to have ‘fit to fly’ certification and to buy health insurance, selective tourism sealed areas to be certified by the Tourism and Sports Ministry and Public Health Ministry, those services providers and people who are dealt with tourists need to be registered and tracked.

Target tourist countries to be allowed in Thailand include China, Hong Kong, Macao, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and some countries in Middle East.