BANGKOK – Thailand’s resort island of Phuket will ban domestic travellers from other provinces in the kingdom from 3 to 16 August, in a bid to stop Covid-19 spreading further.
However, the new provincial order signed by Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew stated the directive has no effect on international travellers flying into the island under the “Phuket Sandbox” initiative.
Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry official Pensom Lertsithichai said domestic travellers from other provinces, either by air, sea and land would be banned from entering.
However, she said those transporting essential goods, agricultural products, medical supplies as well as students would be allowed to enter the island but they have to be fully vaccinated and test negative for Covid-19.
The Disease Control Department (DDC) will closely monitor the Covid-19 situation in Phuket, Pensom said at a briefing here today.
“We hope these measures will help to contain further outbreak on the island,” she said.
Meanwhile, Narong also ordered the closure of premises and venues deemed risky to curb further transmission including billiard outlets, all martial arts schools, gaming centres, swimming pools from today to August 1.
Earlier this week, he also ordered all local education institutions to remain closed until August 16, while shopping malls and sports venues will be closed until August 2. There is also a ban on public gatherings of more than 100 people, which was imposed from Tuesday.
In bid to revive its tourism industry hit hard by Covid-19 outbreak, Thailand allowed international travellers from countries that are deemed Covid-19 low- and medium-risk, though they must test negative upon arrival.
Besides that, the fully vaccinated travellers no longer need to undergo a 14-day compulsory quarantine but have to remain on the island for two weeks before travelling to other provinces in the kingdom.
Since Phuket reopened its doors on July 1, a total of 12,599 international visitors entered the island.
30 of these have tested positive for Covid-19 as of yesterday. A total of 298,858 rooms per night have been booked up until September.
Meanwhile, DDC Director-General Kajornsak Kaewjaras said the department will monitor the Covid-19 situation on the island for two weeks.
He said nine active clusters have been detected in Phuket so far, and health authorities have tracked down all those involved.
“We need another two weeks to assess the situation and look at the number of patients before deciding whether the scheme should carry on,” he was quoted saying by Bangkok Post.
The “Phuket Sandbox” risks suspension if the number of Covid-19 cases exceed the government-set threshold of 90 cases per week. – Bernama, July 30, 2021
