Thailand to reintroduce quarantine over Omicron fears

Thailand looks likely to reintroduce quarantine for both foreign and Thai travellers to the country, according to a government official. 

Speaking to Nation TV, Public Health Minister Anutin Charmvirakul stated that all visitors or returnees to the country may have to undergo quarantine in a government facility as fears over Omicron rise. 

As things currently stand, vaccinated visitors to the country need only take a test on arrival and spend one night in a government-mandated hotel. After receiving a negative result they are then free to travel around the country. 

To read about Thailand reopening to tourism click here

What’s the Omicron situation in Thailand?

According to the minister, “Thailand already has 63 cases of Omicron infections, with 20 still to be confirmed”. 

He further continued that the country would soon return to state-run quarantine in order to help combat the new variant. 

While studies are still being conducted on Omicron, it is known to be far more contagious than previous mutations. The new strain is particularly prominent in the UK and has led to a number of restrictions being reintroduced across Europe. Other countries, including Morocco, have completely sealed their borders.

To read about which countries are open to travel click here

Thailand to reintroduce quarantine – when and for how long? 

The minister did not state when the new measures would be put into place, nor did he state the length of the anticipated quarantine periods.

He did add that the country needed to move “quickly” and travel agents fear this will severely undermine confidence not just in Thailand, but the tourism industry as a whole. 

Will Cambodia reintroduce quarantine? 

The potential closure of Thailand would leave Cambodia as the only country in the region fully open to vaccinated travellers, which could be considered both a benefit and a hindrance.

As things stand, the government has been keen to state that they have no plans to change the current status quo, particularly as visitors are now slowly but surely returning to the Kingdom. 

Sadly though, much of this mirrors the events of the early pandemic and in an ever-changing world, anything is possible. 

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Adam Reeves
Author: Adam Reeves

An avid traveler and telecommunications expert, Adam has explored over 25 countries, immersing himself in their cultures to discover the best they offer. His passion for connecting people extends from his professional life to his adventures abroad.