The Thai National Communicable Disease Committee has decided to shorten the mandatory quarantine period for vaccinated people arriving from abroad, from 14 to 7 days, effective from April, with the exception of those arriving from South Africa, who are still subject 14-day isolation.

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said today that the committee also approved the vaccine passport program, adding that those vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine will be issued with a certificate by the hospital which provided the inoculation.

He noted, however, that whether this certificate will be accepted by the country of destination for departing passengers, in the case of those inoculated in Thailand, will depend on the policy of that country, because there is no current standard vaccine passport format issued by the World Health Organization.

Anutin explained that the committee decided to shorten quarantine because COVID-19 infections have dropped, after about 250 million doses of vaccine have been given to millions of people worldwide.

Meanwhile, the CCSA today reported 71 new COVID-19 cases today, including 48 locally-acquired infections and 23 among arrivals from abroad.

Of the 71 new cases, 40 were recorded in Samut Sakhon, one in Bangkok and the rest in other provinces.

Cumulative infections, since early last year, are 26,441, with 25,777 recoveries and 85 deaths.  579 others are still being treated in hospitals.

CCSA assistant spokesperson Dr. Apisamai Srirangsan said the CCSA subcommittee today proposed that the Culture Ministry allow “new normal” celebrations of the Songkran festival in April.

She reminded everyone, however, of the need to keep our guard up by strictly observing social distancing and wearing face masks in public, or there may not be any Songkran celebrations for another year.