The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has notified all airlines about the Thai government’s travel restrictions, including the entry ban on travellers from eight African countries now facing, or at risk of facing, the spread of the new coronavirus variant, known as Omicron.

The countries are Botswana, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Omicron infections have also been detected in Hong Kong, Israel, Belgium and, most recently, in Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.

According to the CAAT’s restrictions, travellers from the eight African nations, who have already been already granted entry permits, will be allowed to enter the country if they arrive before November 30^th, but will be required to enter state quarantine for 14 days upon arrival, regardless of whether the permits were granted under “Test and Go” or “sandbox” programs.

From December 1^st, arrivals from these countries will be prohibited from entering Thailand, even if they were issued with permits under “Thailand Pass” system. All entry permits already issued will become invalid and no more entry permits will be granted to citizens from the eight countries until further notice.

Travellers from other African countries, who have already received entry permits, can enter Thailand until December 14^th. After this date they will be required to enter state quarantine for 14 days.

The CAAT also asked all airlines flying to Thailand to intensify the screening of their passengers, especially those travelling from the eight African countries, and to inform them of the travel restrictions in Thailand.