National/Bangkok —
The Center for Covid-19 Situation (CCSA) has reportedly given the green light to restore nationwide green zones, cancel Thailand Pass, ease the mask mandate in open areas, and extend legal closing hours for nightlife outlets to 2 AM.
Essentially, today’s measures bring to an end over two years of Covid-19 restrictions and rules, except for the emergency decree and some masking recommendations.
A source at the regular CCSA meeting today, June 17th, 2022, led by the director PM Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha reports that the CCSA has consented to reclassify the entire nation’s color-zoning into what they call green zones (surveillance). All Pilot Tourist Areas will be lifted as well. These changes will go into effect as soon as the official legal order in the Royal Gazette is released, and is expected to legally take effect on July 1st, 2022.
Moreover, the CCSA has also decided to move the legal closing hours for nightlife outlets from midnight to pre-pandemic hours or around 2 AM though the mask mandate is still “recommended” in crowded spaces but is relaxed in open/outdoor spaces. However, an exact date for easing of the mask mandate has NOT been announced and is NOT set in stone as July 1st, notes the CCSA, and will depend on the upcoming Royal Gazette order.
The transportation of migrant workers has also been reverted back to normal.
A source also reports that normal temperature checkpoints at each facility have been given the go-ahead to be removed as well except in certain facilities at risk of transmission. A large gathering of more than 2,000 participants will need permission from the Provincial Communicable Disease Committee before taking place.
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One of the most important relaxations of the day is surely the cancelation of the Thailand Pass including:
- Revoking the Thailand Pass for international visitors
- International visitors will only be checked for the vaccination certificate or ATK test result at random. Unvaccinated visitors/not fully vaccinated who are checked at random will need to take an ATK test. This is expected to be lifted when the emergency decree ends, which is staying for the time being.
- Removing temperature and respiratory checkpoints at the international entrances.
- Changes/Removal to Covid-19 insurance requirements. This is still a question mark as of press time with mixed messages and may need further clarification.
- Replacing the Thailand Pass with only a basic Health Declaration Form as needed
Some of the above changes are effective immediately and some will follow after the Gazette is released, according to the CCSA.
It is important to note that provincial governors still have the ability to strengthen rules if they choose to do so and that nothing is “official” until printed and released in the Royal Gazette.
There was no further discussion around potential visa waivers or adjustments, however, at the meeting.
This is a developing story, notes TPN, and this article may be updated or adjusted if more information is released.
