Upgrades to ‘luxury quarantine’ available for returnees

Mandatory 14 day state quarantine for Thai returnees may not be so bad – if you’re prepared to pay for it. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration revealed yesterday that there’s an upgrade option. CCSA spokesman Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin says state officials are providing the alternative quarantine arrangements for people “who need more options.”

Returnees are currently sent either to local quarantine provided by provincial authorities, or government-provided state quarantine facilities provided for people who arrive by plane. People who report the 14 day quarantine experience say they were well taken care of but the food was not ‘gourmet’ level and some of the accomodation was not ‘hotel’ standard.

But there is a third, more posh option available for those willing to pay more for a bit of luxury. The government is calling it “alternate state quarantine” and is collaborating with hotel operators and high-end hospitals to provide the privilege.

Those who could take advantage of the option are usually foreign diplomatic returnees or Thai businesspeople. Many are willing to pay for the upgrade.

Taweesin says the government may not be able to continue providing free state quarantine once the state of emergency is lifted and more people begin arriving from other countries. However, travellers would be able to choose paid accommodation at hotels which had partnered with hospitals.. The standard of hotels would range from 2 – 5 star.

He also invited interested hotels and hospitals to contact the CCSA with details of the preparations they have made.

Meanwhile, foreign students and others have asked the government to lift the travel ban against low-risk countries when the third phase of lockdown easing begins. Pointing out that the government has a tracking system that can call people up for testing, they say it might be possible for foreigners to visit Thailand for purposes other than business.

SOURCE: Nation Thailand