Officials considering Sandbox destinations in every region – Health Minister

Along with pushing for the resumption of the Test & Go scheme, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul says the ministry is discussing adding more Sandbox destinations to have the entry scheme open in every region of Thailand. The ministry will make formal proposals, including lowering the Covid-19 alert level to level 3, at the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration general meeting on Thursday.

The health minister suggested Sandbox schemes in Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Khon Kaen, and Samut Prakan. At the moment, Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, and the islands in Surat Thani are the only destinations currently allowed to welcome tourists under the Sandbox scheme.

The Sandbox scheme allows vaccinated travellers to roam freely at a specified destination rather than undergoing a strict quarantine at a hotel or facility. Travellers must stay at an approved hotel or resort for at least seven days and test negative for Covid-19 on arrival and again before the end of the week.

Proposals will be discussed at Thursday’s CCSA meeting chaired by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha. For the reopening of pubs, bars, and entertainment venues, Anutin says the ministry will not propose the reopening as there have been many infection clusters reported at the venues and they still pose a risk for transmission

SOURCE: Khaosod