Phuket remains essentially closed for non-Sandbox tourists until mid-September but to welcome domestic tourists with restrictions from September 8th

Phuket –

Phuket remains closed until the middle of September following the increasing number of Covid-19 infections on the island, governor Narong Woonciew ordered yesterday, August 31st.

The Phuket Communicable Disease Committee, chaired by the governor, agreed to extend the preventive restrictions and screening measures for another 14 days, from September 1st to the 14th, as the number of daily infections has reached an average of 200 cases a day.

According to the previous order in August, all persons and drivers of all types of vehicles wanting to enter the island by land (Chat Chai checkpoint), by water (all ports), and by domestic channels (Phuket International Airport) are not allowed, except emergency vehicles, rescue vehicles, transport vehicles of drugs, supplies, medicines, consumer goods, and other necessities.

Those who fall in an exemption category and are allowed must receive two doses of Sinovac and Sinopharm or a single dose of AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson for at least 14 days or they must recover from Covid-19 for not more than 90 days. They must also present proof of a negative test of Covid-19 within 72 hours.

However, the authorities also approved to welcome domestic tourists from September 8th onwards to travel under some requirements to stimulate tourism and the economy. Additionally, Sandbox tourists are now “officially” allowed to re-enter the island after taking approved trips to other islands through the Sandbox program, although some terms and conditions may apply.

Those who wish to visit Phuket must present proof of booking and payment at a hotel or accommodation. All vaccine and RT-PCR result requirements for exempt categories above are also applied upon arrival. If they are planning to stay longer than 7 days, they must conduct a Covid-19 test on the 5th day of their stay and be responsible for their own expenses. They must also install the Morchana application on a smartphone and it must be turned on at all times during their stay.

They must also register at gophuget.com and present the QR code given to them from the website upon entry.

The Chatchai checkpoint will remain closed every night overnight from 11:00 P.M. to 4:00 A.M.

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