Thailand makes U-turn on COVID vaccination rule for visitors

Thailand’s health minister declared that the country has repealed a two days previously announced entrance policy requiring travelers to provide confirmation of a COVID-19 vaccination, citing appropriate immunization levels in China and around the world.

The new restriction, which aviation authorities announced on Saturday in advance of an anticipated influx of visitors from China, where COVID instances have increased, was withdrawn on Monday, according to Anutin Charnvirakul, who said that verifying vaccination records was inconvenient.

Those who are not immunized will also be admitted without limitation, according to Charnvirakul.

The panel decided against requiring vaccine documentation because it would be burdensome and inconvenient, Anutin told reporters.

Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, stated that although there had been conversations regarding admission restrictions, the problem had been resolved.

Thailand, one of the most popular vacation destinations in Asia, is experiencing a surge in tourists during its first peak season following the relaxation last year of harsh entrance restrictions that had led to the collapse of its tourism sector.

1.75 million people visited in November, which is four times more than there were in all of previous year, when there were fewer aircraft and international arrivals.