Thailand drops on-arrival Covid-19 tests for vaccinated visitors

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Thailand on Friday announced the end of compulsory Covid-19 tests for vaccinated travellers, as the country steps up efforts to revive its pandemic-thumped tourism industry.

Tight border restrictions helped the kingdom limit infections and deaths in 2020 but brought the tourism sector — which had accounted for about a fifth of the country's economy — to its knees.

Thailand's Covid-19 taskforce said that from May 1, fully vaccinated visitors would no longer have to take a test on arrival and wait in a hotel room for the result.

Taskforce spokesperson Taweesin Visanuyothin said authorities will now only require arrivals to show proof of vaccination and health insurance coverage of at least $10,000. Earlier this month, Thailand dropped the requirement for mandatory pre-arrival Covid tests.

Traditional Thai dancers wearing protective face shields perform at Bangkok's Erawan Shrine, which was reopened after the Thai government relaxed measures to combat the spread of Covid-19 on May 4.—AFP
Traditional Thai dancers wearing protective face shields perform at Bangkok's Erawan Shrine, which was reopened after the Thai government relaxed measures to combat the spread of Covid-19 on May 4.—AFP

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