Bangkok-
The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration or CCSA has stated they are in no rush to proceed forward with a proposed travel bubble plan that was approved in principle by the Thai Cabinet.
The plan was proposed to allow in roughly one thousand tourists a day from countries that had handled the Covid19 pandemic well without a quarantine. These countries would be decided in bilateral travel agreements and primarily based for business and medical travelers.
The CCSA, however, along with the National Security Council, has stated that they have found several flaws with the plan and believe that it would be opening up the country to the potential of a second wave.
The CCSA asked the Tourism Authority of Thailand to conduct an economic draft of the rough cost of benefits vs. the potential of a second outbreak, stressing Thailand could not afford the economic or emotional strain of a second lockdown on the country.
Defence Forces chief Pornpipat Benyasri, the top supervisor of CCSA security, told associated Thai media that the proposed plan needed substantial revisions and more thought before being put together.
The CCSA has counter proposed limiting the travel bubble visitors to specific areas or resorts where travelers were technically still in quarantine but could not leave a inclusive resort area. They did not give a list of potential places or areas in the country considered for this plan.
Meanwhile, in a plan unrelated to the travel bubbles the CCSA is moving carefully forward on a plan to cautiously and slowly allow foreigners with work permits, diplomats and foreigners with immediate needs, such as married foreigners who support a Thai family, into the country.
Announced in CCSA press conferences earlier this week by spokesperson Natapanu Nopakun, this would require arrangements with ones local Thai Embassy and would require multiple provisions, including a self funded fourteen day state quarantine, health insurance, a fit to fly certificate and other measures.
Thailand continues to bring back Thai Nationals from overseas but they also must undergo a state quarantine.
Finally, Thailand continues to speak with international airlines and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand over the current total inbound flight ban on international flights. That ban is due to expire at the end of this month and officials are deliberating on lifting it.
Airlines, however, have expressed reticence to start scheduling flights due to the strict requirements to come into the country and lack of air passengers that could meet them. Several major airlines reportedly stated they don’t feel the situation would improve until roughly September.
Even if the ban is lifted on international travel, the same strict requirements for those flying into the country listed above would be required, said the CCSA this week.
