Chinese tourists won’t trigger increase in Covid-19 cases

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) reckons the influx of Chinese tourists will not trigger an increase in Covid-19 cases in Thailand but added the department will evaluate the status of coronavirus infections in two weeks’ time.

DDC Director-General Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong revealed yesterday that the average daily number of cases is 900, and the number of Covid patients in critical condition who require a respirator has decreased, reported Bangkok Post.

“The country is now seeing eight deaths a day from the virus on average. Moreover, the number of cases after the new year holidays has turned out to be lower than expected.

“Tourism businesses have been preparing themselves for an influx of tourists from China after the country lifted quarantine measures over the weekend. They and their staff have been fully vaccinated and have been practicing universal prevention measures.

“As many Chinese are expected to tour religious sites, the DDC is working with the Ministry of Culture and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to make sure safety measures are in place.

“At international airports, body temperature scanners have been installed, and disease control staff deployed to provide health advice to travellers who are either infected or suspected of being infected with the virus.

“The same Covid-19 measures as those imposed on air travellers will apply to other foreign and Thai nationals entering Thailand by land through the border provinces such as Chiang Rai.

“Tourists from countries like India and China that require a negative RT-PCR Covid-19 test before they are allowed to return home must still have health insurance covering at least US$10,000 (335,400 baht) in Covid-19 treatment costs before they enter Thailand.

“As for Covid-19 vaccination services for foreign tourists, the DDC has designated at least two centres in Bangkok and one each in Phuket, Chon Buri and Chiang Mai.”

The DDC made it known that vaccines will be made available for foreign travellers arriving in Thailand.

The cost for one shot of the AstraZeneca vaccine will be 800 baht, and the cost for one shot of the Pfizer vaccine will be 1,000 baht.

It is expected that around 300,000 Chinese tourists will arrive in the next three months, accounting for approximately 5% of all international arrivals.

Deputy clerk Suksan Kittisupakorn announced that the BMA and the Ministry of Public Health have made over 10,000 hospital beds available for new Covid patients.