Phuket beach - a famous tourist destination (Photo: Reuters) Local media quoted Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn as saying that Bangkok was scheduled to reopenin October, as part of the second phase, but this phase has been delayed toNovember as the majority of residents will not receive their second vaccinedose until the end of October.
Meanwhile, Chiang Mai, Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin) andChonburi (Pattaya) will go ahead as planned on October 1.
The ministry and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) agreed to add someprovinces to the third phase of reopening, under the “7 7” extension programme.As a result, from October 15, there will be 25 provinces which tourists canenter via the “sandbox” programme, as second destinations after spending sevendays in Phuket, Samui, Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phetchaburior Bangkok.
Phiphat said the ministry needs to propose this list to the Centre forCOVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), in order to allocate a properquantity of vaccines in time. However, if vaccination does not reach therequired level in certain areas, select districts can be isolated or a sealedroute is possible in the early stages.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports said only safe places can reopen fromNovember 1, while international travelers will not have to be quarantined afterentering the country until January 2022. Then, until January 15, 2022, Thailandwill apply a tourist bubble with neighboring countries.
Meanwhile, the CCSA has warned of a new wave ofinfections next month if people lower their vigilance as restrictions are easedand complacency due to the declining number of new cases.
CCSA spokesman TaweesilpVisanuyothin said at a press conference on September 6 afterdiscussing with the Ministry of Health that new COVID-19 cases could reach30,000 a day next month if people stop following social distancing and other preventativemeasures.
The Ministry of Health announced on September 6 that the country recorded 13,988 new casesof COVID-19 and 187 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing thetotal numbers to 1,294,522 and 13,042 respectively./.
The Ministry of Health announced on September 6 that the country recorded 13,988 new casesof COVID-19 and 187 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing thetotal numbers to 1,294,522 and 13,042 respectively./.
VNA
