Phuket tightens control on all local and foreign arrivals until end of April - Thai PBS World Tonight [20th April 2021]

Phuket has imposed strict new controls on all people entering the resort island, effective from tomorrow until the end of April.

The new measure, which was approved by the provincial communicable disease committee, is designed to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the province and will be applied to local and foreign travellers who want to enter Phuket, with the exception of those delivering goods who do not stay overnight on the island and who must produce certification from their employers at the Tha Chatchai road checkpoint.

The measure stipulates that every arrival must have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, with an accompanying certificate confirming such, or must produce a COVID-19-free certificate, issued within 72 hours of arrival on Phuket.

If an arrival does not have one of the two certificates, they must undergo a 300 baht rapid antigen test at their port of entry. Results of the tests will be available in about 15 minutes.

If the result is negative, the person can enter Phuket. If the result is positive for the virus, the person will be sent for treatment.

Classified as one of 19 “Red Zone” provinces, COVID-19 infections on the island have risen to 208, as of Monday. All people from Phuket arriving in Surat Thani are required to scan and register through the “Save Surat” web portal and enter 14-days of quarantine on arrival.

All approved arrivals are required to download the Mor Chana tracing application and register via www.gophuget.com.