As of February 1, 2022, all fully vaccinated travellers to Thailand will go through the Test and Go Program. This program will allow said travellers to begin their travel into the country quicker as they get to avoid quarantine that was previously required should they test negative for Covid-19. Here is what you need to know about the new travel arrangement.
1. Eligibility for Quarantine-Free Travel
To qualify for this program, the traveller must have arrived in the kingdom by air. They also need to be a fully vaccinated adult. This option is open to foreigners that are travelling from any territory or country.
If you arrive without having been fully vaccinated and by other means besides air, then you may need to go through the Sandbox Program or Alternative Quarantine Program. Do enquire with your local Thai embassy or consulate to learn which program applies to your circumstance if you are not eligible for this Test and Go program.
2. Required Documents for Vaccinated Travellers
The Test and Go Pass can be applied for 60 days before the date of travel to Thailand. Required documentation includes:
- The Thailand Pass that has been applied for through https://tp.consular.go.th/. This site will be accessible from February 1, 2022.
- Proof of payment for accommodation at a government approved or SHA+ hotel for Day One and Day Five, and the 2 RT-PCR tests to be done on both days.
- A medical certificate confirming a negative Covid test result. Results should be from a RT-PCR lab test. The certificate should have been issued within 72 hours prior to travel. Children under the age of 6 years that are travelling with their parents or guardians are exempted from this rule.
- A health insurance policy that provides a minimum coverage of US$50,000 for Covid-19 related care.
- Certificate of vaccination for an approved vaccine
- Certificate of recovery if you have recently undergone medical treatment for the Covid-19 virus infection.
3. What Is A SHA+ Hotel
SHA+ hotels are approved by the Thai government through the Tourism Authority of Thailand to offer quarantine accommodation to travellers required to undergo RT-PCR testing. They meet pandemic-level standards of safety and health, with over 70% of staff being fully vaccinated. Those that are not vaccinated are not allowed close contact with guests.
4. Hotel Stay
As per the Test and Go Program, the prearranged and prepaid accommodation must be with a SHA Extra Plus (SHA+ +), AHQ, AQ, or OQ facilities. This accommodation is for Day One and Day Five testing and awaiting results. If the traveller tests negative, they will be free to continue with their travel. You can book into different accommodation for the two days if more convenient for your travels.
5. How Many Tests
All travellers are required to undertake at least 2 RT-PCR tests on Day One and Day Five of your trip. Children under the age of 6 are allowed to undergo a saliva test.
6. Accepted Vaccines
Approved vaccines are those approved by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) or the World Health Organisation (WHO). The final dose of the vaccine must have been taken at least 14 days before your scheduled travel date. Travellers must provide official certificates of vaccination as proof they are fully vaccinated.
7. Children
A fully vaccinated adult is anyone that has attained the age of 18 years or older. Anyone that claims to have been vaccinated should provide a certificate of vaccination.
For children that are 12 to 17 years old and are unaccompanied by parents, it is mandatory to have received at least one dose of any approved vaccine. If the child in this age group is being accompanied by parents, they are exempted from this obligation.
Children that are 6 to 11 years old are not required to have undergone any vaccination. The same applies to all children under the age of 18 years that arrive in Thailand by water.
8. Travel Insurance
The health insurance policy you take up must provide minimum coverage of at least US$50,000. Thai citizens and foreign expatriates that are already covered by the national healthcare program do not require this additional coverage. In order to purchase Travel Insurance covering COVID 19 during your stay, you can hassle free purchase online in the following link.
Tune ipass Insurance link
Note that if you do test positive for Covid-19 and require a hospital stay, hotel isolation or home isolation, all costs must be catered to by the traveller.
The policy should cover at minimum the expected duration of the trip plus an additional 10 days in case the traveller tests positive.
9. Arrival Process
Be aware that your arrival time will affect what day is counted as Day One. Should you arrive in Thailand before 1800hrs, the arrival day is counted as Day One. However, should you arrive after 1800hrs, the next day is counted as Day One.
Upon arrival, you will undergo a check for body temperature. You will also be required to provide the immigration officer with the required documents.
Thereafter, you will proceed to prearranged medical test site or hotel accommodation where you will undergo your initial RT-PCR test. You will need to wait at the hotel for your test results.
If the test results are negative, you will be free to travel anywhere within Thailand. You will however need to return to the prearranged hotel stay on Day Five for a 2nd Covid test that will use the same RT-PCR method. You will again need to remain at the hotel for your test results to come out. If negative again, you will be free to again travel anywhere within Thailand.
If you however test positive and depending on health conditions, you may be required to remain at the hotel under isolation. If you are a resident or citizen, you may undertake community isolation.
Those that require medical treatment will be transported to the relevant medical facilities. This treatment should be covered under the health insurance required of foreign travellers.
10. Departure Process
Foreign travellers are free to depart from Thailand at any time. It is however advisable to check if the destination country you are travelling to has its own travel requirements, especially regarding Covid-19. This will avoid inconveniences when trying to get through immigration when you arrive there.
If you have any questions regarding the Thailand Pass or the Test & Go in Thailand, or anything related to Thailand Visa’s, get in touch with one of the team at Thai Visa Expert today.
Recent Comments