Thai government plans to ease travel restrictions to welcome foreign tourists from low- risk countries in a bid to revive the local economy.
Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-ocha said the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) would discuss which areas will be suitable to receive foreign tourists as well as related disease control measures.
It will begin with the limited number of arrivals. They will be screened from the origins to the destinations and will stay only in tourist zones, he said. To help the most economically affected tourist destinations, the government is looking at allowing foreign tourists to stay in those prepared areas as a ‘sand box’ model.
The return of tourists is necessary for revival of the economy. If the government does nothing, all premises will be shut down and employees will be laid off. The government needs to relax restrictions and implement suitable measures to handle it, he added.
Meanwhile, Public Health Ministry’s Division for Communicable Diseases, Sophon Iamsirithawon said Thai has had zero local transmissions for more than 90 days since May 25.
Easing restrictions to allow resumption of business activities went smoothly but strict disease control measures must remain in place, he said.
Tourism will be also resumed under restricted safety rules.
It is expected to start receive foreign tourists in October. Initially, it targets to allow tourists from low-risk countries who come to Thailand for medical purposes and tourism, he added. (TNA)
