Thailand, Indonesia adjust quarantine regulations for arrivals
Hanoi (VNA) - Thailand will extend the suspension of its quarantine waiver
programme and bring in new restrictions after a jump in new coronavirus cases
linked to the Omicron variant, the Thai Government's COVID-19 task force said on January 7.
Spokesman of the COVID-19
task force Taweesin Visanuyothin said new applications for Thailand's "Test & Go"
quarantine waiver scheme will not be approved until further notice. But
existing applicants can still enter Thailand without quarantine until January 15.
To curb local virus
transmissions, alcohol consumption in restaurants will be halted after 9pm in
eight provinces, including the capital of Bangkok from January 9, and banned in other
69 provinces.
From January 11, Thailand will
allow quarantine-free entry into the country via the previously suspended
sandbox schemes of Samui Plus, Phang Nga, and Krabi, Visanuyothin said.
Also on January 7, Thailand
reported 7,526 new infections, the highest number since early November and doubling
that recorded on January 1.
The same day, Indonesia’s
COVID-19 task force announced dispensations from quarantine for certain groups of people in
urgent circumstances, including medical conditions that are life
threatening or requiring special needs, as well as circumstances of grief such
as the death of family members.
Quarantine dispensation can also be given to
foreign nationals who are foreign representative agencies' leaders, holders of diplomatic or
work visas from ministry-level institutions or above, visitors arriving under
the Travel Corridor Arrangement scheme, delegates of G20 members and
respectable members of international societies.
They must submit a request for dispensation at
least 3-7 days before entering Indonesia./.