The government is considering easing Covid rules for vaccinated tourists.
It is thinking of replacing the RT-PCR test with other screening methods, and easing high-risk close contact (HRC) rules which force airplane passengers who had sat near Covid-19 patients into quarantine.
As the RT-PCR test requires at least six hours for the result, and travellers must book and stay in a hotel room while awaiting the outcome, alternative methods, such as antigen test kits, are more convenient.
The CCSA will also consider easing current HRC rules which force those who sit two rows in front of or two rows behind infected passengers on a plane to be quarantined.
Under the new proposal, only passengers who had sat next to a Covid-19 patient would be kept in quarantine, for a shorter period.
Meanwhile, those who test positive with mild or no symptoms don't have to be relocated to hospital to receive treatment, but can choose a hospitel or alternative quarantine for up to 10 days, down from the current 14 days.
As of Nov 9, 28 travellers had coronavirus, out of 28,021 arrivals.
Some hotels have started to look for more convenient methods by taking guests to drive-thru testing before checking them into the hotel.
While hotels in Bangkok have been certified with SHA Plus and have benefited from the one-night stay for the Test & Go scheme, hotels in other areas, such as Pattaya and Hua Hin, still have fewer guests than expected.
