Lee Kahwhye Singapore, July 12 (ANI): Thailand opened resort island Phuket on July 1 and first tested what a trip in the era immediately after COVID would look like. Many tourism-dependent countries that have closed their borders since the beginning of the pandemic are looking to see if this is a template they can copy.

Unfortunately, on July 7, less than a week after opening, a foreign visitor from the United Arab Emirates tested positive for COVID-19, faced 14 days at a government quarantine facility, and took a beach vacation. It was reported that he had shortened his dream. Phuket beach.

According to data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, about 2 million Indians visited Thailand in 2019, making it the third largest group of foreigners visiting Thailand that year. Just a year ago, in 2018, Indians formed the sixth largest group of foreign tourists. This is a significant increase from 2008, when 537,000 people visited and Indian arrivals ranked 11th.

It is no surprise that Thailand is a fascinating tourist destination. It has pristine beaches, clear blue waters and the beauty of the natural hillsides of the north. It is culturally unique, with thousands of mysterious and glamorous temples and one of the most naturally friendly and welcoming people on the planet. Not to mention its exciting nightlife for those looking for a bit of fun and good food.

When COVID began to spread throughout the country last year, the government gradually introduced increasingly stringent measures to control its outbreak. As a result, from April 4th, commercial flights that effectively prevent foreigners from entering the country have been suspended. Twenty percent of Thailand’s GDP depends on tourism, and about the same percentage of Thailand is in financial crisis. A UN report entitled “COVID-19 and Tourism” said Thailand could lose US $ 47 billion due to the shrinking sector.

To alleviate the plight of the tourism industry, the Thai government introduced a stimulus package worth 22.4 billion baht (US $ 689 million) in June 2020. Food and use of facilities in tourist areas. Funds were also allocated to support the national vacation of more than one million healthcare workers and volunteers from subdivision hospitals to show appreciation for their front-line services in the fight against the coronavirus.

The Phuket Sandbox Experiment on Thailand’s most popular tourist island, which received approximately 10 million visitors in 2019, will, if successful, be rolled out to other parts of Thailand. Since its reopening, more than 2000 international travelers have entered Phuket. One was positive on the test.

Based on Phuket’s sandbox scheme, fully vaccinated visitors from medium-risk and low-risk countries can enter the island without the need for tedious 14-day quarantine. However, within 72 hours before departure, take the pre-departure Covid-19 test, stay in the country for at least 14 days, apply for an immigration certificate at the Thai embassy, ​​wear a mask and travel in public. is needed. Get US $ 100,000 worth of insurance and download and use the mobile app for contact tracking purposes. On arrival, they will test negative for the virus in Phuket and will have to undergo another test a week later and a third test if they stay for two weeks. The cost of the Covid-19 test is 3,500-4,900 baht (US $ 107-150) each, so the cost of the test can actually be summed up, and budget-conscious travelers can come up with ideas for traveling to Phuket. You may give up completely.

Visitors are free to move around the island only after being tested negative on arrival. This result is usually available within 24 hours. Then, another 14 days later, you will be allowed to travel to other parts of Thailand without restrictions.

The rest of the country still suffers from vaccination delays and containment of new outbreaks of COVID-19, but Phuket residents are given priority access to vaccination. Prior to the start of the sandbox program, it was planned that at least 70% of Phuket’s 500,000 population would be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Tourism officials predict that by September of this year, about 100,000 foreigners will visit Phuket and generate 8.9 billion baht (US $ 274 million) in revenue. Due to the monsoon rainy season, the number of visitors to the island is realistic, but we expect the number of arrivals to gradually increase toward the end of the year.

If the sandbox project is successful, Thailand hopes it will lead to the reopening of other islands and ultimately the rest of the country.

An interesting development observed is that some Thais who have been abroad for some time are returning home using a sandbox program without being trapped in a boring government-appointed quarantine center. They don’t mind staying in Phuket for 14 days because they stay in higher quality accommodation and are free to move around the island before moving to their final destination elsewhere in the country.

We feel that the Phuket travel industry has adopted a sandbox scheme as a lifeline, providing a solution that balances the health and safety of residents and visitors while at the same time resuming economic activity in the region. “If you don’t open right away, forget about your COVID. You’re suffering from hunger,” said Frederick Barnier, managing director of the Anantara Hotel in Phuket, according to the Financial Times. (ANI)