On Friday, the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) announced that Thailand was ready to be declared a green zone (under surveillance) as of July 1.
The CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin said the center had accepted the Public Health Ministry’s proposal to lift the stricter Covid-19 restrictions next month, expecting officials to finalize all the details before categorizing the entire country as a green zone. The measure would come into effect once it is published in the Royal Gazette.
Under the government’s new plan, all businesses and other activities could resume from July 1. The green zone also eases the mask-wearing requirement, allowing people to voluntarily decide whether to wear masks outdoors or in uncrowded places.
According to Dr. Taweesilp, people can remove their masks in outdoor places like parks or beaches and during activities or jobs that do not pose contagion risks.
Restaurants should continue taking disease control measures but could return to offering alcohol for on-premises consumption during pre-Covid hours. Earlier, restaurant operators had asked authorities to extend the hours for alcohol consumption until at least 2:00 a.m.
If Thailand is declared a green zone from next month, restrictions on entertainment venues and transportation for migrant workers would also be lifted.
In addition, people would not have to undergo temperature checks to enter certain places, except in risk areas or where there are still outbreaks.
The move would also relax testing requirements, meaning locals and visitors would only have to show a negative antigen test at gatherings with 2,000 people or more or if they develop respiratory symptoms.
The CCSA spokesperson also said the Thailand Pass registration and Covid-19 insurance would no longer be mandatory requirements for people arriving in the country.
As of July 1, foreign visitors or Thai returnees are required to show only their vaccination certificates or Covid-19 test results. Those without test results can undergo random, professional antigen testing at permanent border entry points, Dr. Taweesilp added.
Thailand’s Pass registration system will remain in place but as a tool that allows travelers to report suspected symptoms of dangerous diseases and other communicable diseases, as determined by the Public Health Ministry.
Foreign nationals visiting Thailand are no longer required to be insured for Covid-19, as the government has decided to remove the $100,000 mandatory coverage from next month.
