1. Yesterday, Thailand administered 281,070 doses of vaccines, increasing the accumulated number of vaccinations to over 55 million doses.

2. The main focus of the update on vaccination drive currently is for children aged 12-18 years to be fully vaccinated, so that they may return to school and school may reopen in the circumstances that they are used to, which is physical on-site learning.

3. The vaccination in province of Phuket has seen lots of progress, as Phuket is one of the provinces that is put in the Sandbox scheme for opening up. In term of vaccination progress, Phuket has vaccinated a high number of people because the method of vaccination is intradermal vaccination. Therefore, we have seen exponential growth of vaccination progress in the province of Phuket.

4. For other part of the country, for example, in the southern part of Thailand, there still remain concern especially for some provinces in particular on the vaccination progress for those above 60 years of age, as well as those with 7 underlying diseases, which are the most vulnerable group. The vaccination rate of these groups in some provinces in the southern part of Thailand is still quiet low at around 20-30%, while the aim of the vaccination rate is to reach 50%.

5. In general for the whole country, we have seen the improving Covid-19 situation with the downward trend of the numbers of cases in Thailand in Bangkok and other provinces, that has led to many relaxed measures that are in effective from 1 October.

6. The number of new confirmed cases today 9,930 cases with 109,748 active cases and 12,336 new recoveries 97 new fatalities were registered yesterday, with an accumulated total of 16,920 or 1.04 percent.

7. Recapping of updated quarantine period
– The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) General Meeting, chaired by the Prime Minister on 27 September 2021 approved reduction of the quarantine period for travelers entering Thailand. The new measures are published in the Royal Gazette on 30 September and came into effect since 1 October 2021.
– The quarantine measures for those traveling into Thailand are categorised as follows:
– First, those who have vaccine certificates and have been vaccinated for over 14 days will be subject to a minimum of 7 days of quarantine with two RT-PCR tests conducted on the first day of arrival and on the 6th or the 7th day of quarantine;
– Second, those who have not received full vaccination traveling into the country via sea or air will be subject to a minimum of 10 days of quarantine and two RT-PCR tests;
– Third, those who have not received full vaccination traveling into the country via land will be subject to a minimum of 14 days of quarantine with two RT-PCR tests.
– The quarantine period for travelers under 18 years of age, who have not received full vaccination, and travel into the country with parents or guardians, will be the same as the latter. If entering the country with one of the parents or guardians with different vaccination status, all need to share the same room in the quarantine facility regardless of their vaccination status and will be subject to the same quarantine period.
– After the Department of Consular Affairs temporarily suspended the issuance of COEs during 27 September – 28 September 12.00 pm. to allow COE applicants to reduce the quarantine period upon arrival in Thailand according to the stipulated conditions under the new entry measure, the Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates have now resumed issuing the COE since 28 September 12.00 pm.

8. Recapping of relaxed Measure
– The CCSA has approved the relaxation of certain measures in the 29 dark red zone provinces from 1 October 2021 onwards.
– The relaxed measures are as follows:
– The curfew time has been adjusted to 22.00-04.00 hr. for at least 15 days;
– Gatherings of more than 25 persons are not allowed;
– Non-air-conditioned eateries are allowed to serve at 75% of their capacity, while eateries with air conditioning may serve at 50%;
– Malls and department stores should not be open after 21.00 hr.;
– Beauty salons, massage shops, spas, beauty clinics should be closed at 21.00 hr.;
– Schools and educational institutes may use their buildings; and
– Sports stadiums and sports competitions are allowed to operate but they should limit the attendees and should be closed by 21.00 hr..

9. Update on Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension scheme
– Effectively from 1 October 2021, all fully vaccinated visitors of all nationalities can participate in the “Sandbox” programme to Phuket, Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao), Phang-Nga (Khao Lak and Ko Yao), and Krabi (Ko Phi Phi, Ko Ngai and Railay). As the Thai Foreign Ministry has revoked the restricted list of countries and territories whose nationals, such as from? South Asia in the past, were subject to temporary ban on entry to Thailand.
– Visitors are now required to stay within the destination for seven days, reduced from 14 days, and afterwards will be able to continue their journey to other parts of Thailand.
– All visitors are required to undergo two RT-PCR tests – first upon arrival on Day 0-1, and the second before finishing the stay period on Day 6-7.
– On Day 7, after receiving a negative test result, travelers can obtain a ‘Release Form’ and from Day 8 to travel to other parts of Thailand.
– In order to be eligible to enter in Thailand under the ‘Sandbox’ scheme, fully vaccinated international travelers still need to have all of their advance arrangements for arrival and entry.
– These include a valid visa or re-entry permit, a COE issued by the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate, a COVID-19 health insurance policy, confirmation of a hotel booking, and a negative RT-PCR test result issued no more than 72 hours before departure.

10. Extension of the ‘special tourist visa’ (STV)
– The Thai Cabinet has approved a one-year extension of the ‘special tourist visa’ (STV) scheme for long-staying visitors until 30 September 2022, as proposed by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The STV entails special permission for long-stay visitors to Thailand of all types – from tourists to business travelers, investors and others – and tourists and crews of foreign cruises and yachts.
– According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, over the first year, Thailand welcomed a total of 5,609 long-staying visitors under the STV scheme.
– The STV scheme is a premium long-stay 90-day visa, which could be extended twice for up to 90 days each time. It was created in response to the growing demand seen from long-stay foreign tourists from potential markets during the COVID-19 pandemic, while addressing the necessary safety and health pre-caution in place.

Full CCSA English briefing can be viewed here >>> https://fb.watch/8qqNsRo-2O/https://fb.watch/8qqNsRo-2O/

Source: CCSA, Ministry of Public Health, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs