TCEB Situation Update COVID-19 Virus on 3 November 2021

The Thai government has further relaxed control measures to allow more economic activities. The relaxation includes permitting travellers from 16 more countries and 1 territory to enter the country quarantine-free, declaring new zoning of risk areas, where the provinces put under maximum controlled area and strict zone are lowered to only 7, and no limit of maximum attendance at crowd-gathering activities in pilot tourism areas. All are effective 1 November 2021, the details of which are as follows:

1. Quarantine-free entry for travellers from 16 more countries and 1 territory

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the no. 2 notification of its Operation Center for Measures on the Entry into and Departure from the Kingdom and Protection of Thai Nationals Abroad has listed 16 more countries and 1 territory granted with the permission to enter the Kingdom of Thailand without quarantine requirements. They are as follows: 

1. Croatia 2. India 3. Indonesia 4. Kuwait 5. Laos 6. Luxembourg 7. Maldives 8. Mongolia 9. Myanmar 10. Nepal 11. Oman 12. Philippines 13. Romania 14. Slovak Republic 15. Sri Lanka 16. Vietnam 17. Taiwan  

Combining with the previous list of 45 countries and 1 territory, travellers from a total of 63 destinations can now fly to Thailand quarantine-free.

2. Adjustment of risk zone areas

The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has ordered the adjustment of provincial risk zones as follows:

            1) Maximum controlled area and strict zone – a total of 7 provinces: Chanthaburi, Tak, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, Songkhla

            2) Maximum controlled zone – a total of 38 provinces : Kanchanaburi,Khon Kaen, Chachoengsao, Chonburi (only Bang Lamung District, Pattaya, Sriracha District, Koh Si Chang District, Tambon Na Jomtien and Bang Sare), Chumphon, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai (only Muang District, Doi Tao District,Mae Rim District and Mae Taeng District), Trang, Trat (only Koh Chang District), Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan (only)Tambon Hua Hin and Tambon Nong Kae), Prachinburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phatthalung, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phetchaburi (only Cha-am Municipality), Phetchabun, Ranong (only Koh Phayam), Rayong (only Koh Samet), Ratchaburi, Lopburi, Satun, Samut Prakan (only the Suvarnabhumi Airport), Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Sa Kaeo, Saraburi, Suphan Buri, Suratthani (only Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao), Ang Thong, Udon Thani (only Muang District, Ban Dung District, Kumphawapi District, Nayoong District, Nong Han District and Prachaksinlapakhom District), Ubon Ratchathani 

            3) Controlled zone – a total of 23 provinces: Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Chainat, Chaiyaphum, Buriram (only Muang District), Phrae, Phayao, Maha Sarakham, Mae Hong Son, Yasothon, Roi Et, Lampang, Lamphun, Loei (only Chiang Khan District), Sisaket, Singburi, Sukhothai, Surin, Nong Khai (only Muang District, Sangkhom District, Sri Chiang Mai District and Tha Bo District), Nong Bua Lamphu, Uthaithani, Uttaradit, Amnat Charoen

            4) High surveillance zone – a total of 5 provinces: Nakhon Phanom, Nan, Buengkan, Mukdahan, Sakon Nakhon

3. Organising activities posing infection risks and maximum attendance at activities

Crowd-gathering activities posing infection risks remain prohibited, except the activities granted the permission by the provincial governors or authorities assigned to grant the permission. The consideration of the permission will be based on whether the activities fit the area and the situation in the area under their responsibility. Maximum attendance at activities is adjusted as follows:

            1) Maximum controlled area and strict zone – maximum attendance is limited to 50. 

            2) Maximum controlled zone – maximum attendance is limited to 200. 

            3) Controlled zone – maximum attendance is limited to 500.  

            4) High surveillance zone – maximum attendance is limited to 1,000. 

            5) Surveillance zone and pilot tourism area – crowd gathering activities can be held as appropriate and must strictly abide by public health measures.

Gathering, conducting any activities or any kind of assemblies in a crowded place or any instigation of unpeaceful actions, as determined by the chiefs responsible for emergency situations that are related to security, are prohibited. The Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) will consider measures necessary and appropriate to each area to contain and terminate such gatherings or activities that pose infection risks.

4. Gathering activities exempted from permission request 

The following gathering activities can be organised without permission request but must strictly abide by disease prevention measures. 

             1) Activities related to transport or movement of people, such as transport of people to and out of community isolation 

             2) Activities related to hospitalisation and public health 

             3) Activities related to providing assistance to or facilitation for the public 

             4) Activities at workplace, usual gathering at residence, meeting or exercising at designated spots

             5) Activities organised by governmental organisations with the consent of their chiefs or activities fixed by the Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES). 

If the activities are found risky, the authorities can issue warning, order the correction or termination.

5. Leaving residence in maximum controlled area and strict zone

In maximum controlled area and strict zone, ban on leaving residence between 23.00 and 03.00 hrs. of the next day remains in effect until 15 November 2021. Terms and conditions for the execution of duties by exempted authorities or persons as announced or permitted earlier remain in force.

6. Working outside workplace

In maximum controlled area and strict zone, including Bangkok and its periphery, the public sector, governmental organisations, and the private sector can continue their operation outside their usual workplace at full capacity without affecting their public service duties. In this regard, the operation centre of the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC) and related agencies will discuss the development of operation guidelines for the civil servants, employees or state authorities, especially those in Bangkok and its periphery, so that the guidelines fit the situation and the area. In maximum controlled zone, controlled zone and high surveillance zone, the public sector, governmental organisations, and the private sector can consider measures for outside workplace operation as deemed appropriate.

Organisations related to public utilities, security, peacekeeping or any operations with fixed schedules and advance appointments which can comply with disease prevention measures, such as medical treatment, contact related to justice process, can proceed as deemed necessary and appropriate.

7. Integrated control measures in each zone

Provincial communicable disease committee will monitor the operation of establishments, enterprises, activities to ensure that the responsible persons make preparation for COVID Free Setting in accordance with the type of establishments and activities and risk levels as established by the Ministry of Public Health, arrange for air circulation, make their service staff prepared and comply with the established conditions, arrangements and regulations and disease prevention measures. This includes measures set up for specific cases, which are partially related to MICE as follows:

            1) Maximum controlled area and strict zone

a. Hotels, trade fair centres, convention centres, exhibition venues or similar establishments can service meetings, seminars, and customary events by complying with COVID Free Setting, such as limiting maximum attendance at 500, attendees wearing face masks all the time, break arrangement for air circulation, providing separate meal set, social distancing and executing operation guidelines as jointly established by the Ministry of Public Health and Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). In case that event attendants exceed the fixed maximum as stated in no. 3, approval must be sought from provincial communicable disease committee before event can be organised.  

b. Consumption in food outlets and drink outlets must not exceed 22.00 hrs. However, consumption of liquor or alcoholic drinks is not allowed. Seated clients in air-conditioned room must be limited to 50% of the total seats in open-air area. Small food outlets, hawkers,push-carts can service only 75% of the total seats. Musical performance is allowed for only 5 performers with social distancing, no contact with clients, mask wearing all the time.Only singers and wind instrument performers are allowed to perform without masks. These measures are enforced in food and drink outlets inside department stores, shopping centres, community malls or similar establishments, as well.

c. Department stores, shopping centres, community malls or similar establishments can provide catering or meeting service until 22.00 hrs. But sale promotion activities remain limited, while game arcades, amusement parks and water zone remain closed.

d. All types of libraries and museums, book houses, art centres, historical sites, archaeological sites, learning centres, scientific centres for learning, scientific parks, scientific and cultural centres or similar establishments can open. However, they must limit the number of attendants which must be based on the space criteria as established by the Ministry of Public Health or 75% of the total capacity. The attendants must not consume food or drinks. Activities causing density must be avoided. Disease control measures of the Ministry of Public Health must be adhered to.     

e. Use of locations or sporting venues for holding competition will be considered by the provincial communicable disease committee, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Ministry of Public Health. No spectators are allowed in indoor competitions, while the outdoor ones can be attended by a maximum 25% of the total capacity. Disease control measures must be adhered to.  In case of training of national athletes, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Sport Authority of Thailand or related agencies must inform the provincial communicable disease committee. Spectators are not allowed and disease control measures must be adhered to.

f. Cinemas, performance theatres can operate but not beyond 22.00 hrs. In case of air- conditioned locations, viewers must not exceed 50% of the total capacity. If the location is open-air with good ventilation, viewers must not exceed 75% of the total capacity. Empty seat in-between must be arranged in line with the guidelines jointly established by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Public Health. Viewers must wear masks and must not consume food or drinks. In case of performance theatres, the provincial communicable disease committee will consider whether or not it is suitable to hold musical shows, cultural shows, local art shows or similar shows. The number of performers and staff must not exceed 50 and they must wear masks all the time. Mask can be taken off while performing on stage but inter-personal contact must be avoided. Disease prevention measures jointly established by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Public Health must be adhered to.

            2) Maximum controlled zone

a. Hotels, trade fair centres, convention centres, exhibition venues or similar establishments can service meetings, seminars, sport fests, trade shows (activities inviting food or drink tasting are not allowed) and customary events. They must abide by COVID Free Setting, such as limiting the attendees to 500, attendees wearing masks all the time, social distancing and executing the operational guidelines as jointly established by the Ministry of Public Health and Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). In case that event attendants exceed the fixed maximum as stated in no. 3, approval must be sought from provincial communicable disease committee before event can be organised.  

b. Consumption in food outlets and drink outlets must not exceed 23.00 hrs. However, consumption of liquor or alcoholic drinks is not allowed. These measures are enforced in food and drink outlets inside department stores, shopping centres, community malls or similar establishments, as well.

c. Department stores, shopping centres, community malls or similar establishments can operate normally but sales promotion activities must be limited and amusement parks and water parks remain closed.

d. Provincial communicable disease committee must be informed of the use of locations or sporting venues to hold competitions. In case of indoor competitions, spectators must not exceed 25% of the total capacity, while spectators at outdoor ones must not exceed 50% of the total capacity. Disease prevention measures must be adhered to. 

e. Cinemas and performance theatres can operate normally. Audience at indoor locations must not exceed 75% of the total seating capacity. In case of open air location with good ventilation, the limit on audience can be imposed to fit the space size by which empty seat must be arranged in line with the operational guidelines of the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Public Health. Audience must wear masks throughout the shows. 

            3) Controlled zone

a. Hotels, trade fair centres, convention centres, exhibition venues or similar establishments can operate normally but must abide by COVID Free Setting, such as limiting the attendees to 1,000, attendees wearing masks all the time, social distancing and executing the operational guidelines as jointly established by the Ministry of Public Health and Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). In case that event attendants exceed the fixed maximum as stated in no. 3, approval must be sought from provincial communicable disease committee before event can be organised.  

b. Consumption in food outlets and drink outlets is allowed in normal operating hours but consumption of liquor or alcoholic drinks at the outlets is not yet allowed. These measures are enforced in food and drink outlets inside department stores, shopping centres,community malls or similar establishments, as well.

c. Department stores, shopping centres, community malls or similar establishments can operate normally but amusement parks and water parks in indoor or closed locations must remain closed.

d. Spectators at indoor sport competitions must not exceed 50% of the total seating capacity and not exceed 75% if held outdoors. Both must strictly abide by established disease prevention measures. 

            4) High surveillance zone

a. Spectators at indoor sport competitions must not exceed 75% of the total seating capacity, while full attendance at outdoor competitions is allowed. Both must strictly abide by established disease prevention measures. 

            5) Surveillance zone

The operation of establishments, enterprises and activities can resume when ready. But disease prevention measures, arrangements, protocols as suggested by the authorities, related regulations and laws must be executed.