Thai Tourism authority is implementing a proposal to allow foreigners from low-risk coronavirus infection countries to visit Thailand without a mandatory quarantine in an attempt to rescue its ailing tourism industry.
The quarantine waiver will target Asian travelers who usually don't stay for more than two weeks, said Yuthasak Supasorn, Thailand's Tourism Authority governor.
The project will need government approval and negotiations with countries from which the plan targets tourists.
Thailand, one of the most tourism-reliant economies in Asia, is considering a selection of methods to reopen its borders to some travelers.
Yet, other proposals require a mandatory 14-day quarantine at a hotel after the arrival, unlike the plan of the state agency. Next week, the agency will request Cabinet approval for a particular long-term visa for tourists, who can stay in the country for up to 270 days.
The Thai hospitality and tourism industries rely on the return of foreign tourists, who contributed to two-thirds of tourism revenue before the pandemic, to reverse an industry slump and save millions of jobs.
The cost of curbing infection risks and limiting damage to the economy, which is on track for a record 8.5% contraction this year, is weighing government and businesses.
Source: Bloomberg
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