Thailand entry restrictions on African countries in response to Omicron

In response to the emergence of the Omicron Covid-19 strain, which is designated by the World Health Organisation as a “variant of concern,” the Thai government has set a travel ban on those from eight African countries said to be of high risk of the newly found variant and imposed restrictions on those from other countries in Africa.

Issuance of the Thailand Pass QR code has been suspended for those travelling from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. The order is in effect until further notice. Thai nationals travelling from the high risk countries are allowed to return home.

Those from other African countries travelling to Thailand will need to undergo a quarantine period at a certified hotel or facility for 14 days. They will undergo three RT-PCR Covid-19 tests before being released. Those travellers are not eligible to enter under the “sandbox” scheme or Test & Go quarantine exemption programme.