Phuket Entry Restrictions until Aug 31.2021

[Topgun]

Phuket entry restrictions extended until August 31.2021

Phuket’s restrictions will stay in place until at least the end of the month. This includes closing off the island to visitors, with exceptions. This move is in response to the rising Covid cases in the region. The exception to the rule is Phuket residents and visitors associated with the “Sandbox” scheme. Also, people who have had 2 doses of Sinovac or at least 1 dose of AstraZeneca/Pfizer/Moderna/Johnson & Johnson 14 days before getting to Phuket. Yet another exception is people who have recovered from Covid in the last 90 days. Travellers will have to show a negative RT-PCR/Antigen test that was taken within 72 hours.

There is also an exception for children younger than 6 years old. This population can enter Phuket if they are accompanied by a guardian who fulfils the requirements. Children between the ages of 6 and 17 have to show a negative RT-PCR/Antigen test that is younger than 72 hours old. Students that are less than 18 years old, who must enter Phuket for school need to have a student ID and take an RT-PCR test. There are 12 more exemptions

• Ambulance patients and lifeguards
• People transporting drugs, “materials”, medical supplies, or medical chemicals
• People transporting consumer goods, agricultural products, livestock, or animal feed
• People transporting cooking fuel
• People transporting materials for banks/financial institutions
• People transporting parcels or “publications”
• People who need to travel through international channels such as Phuket International Airport. However, they need to have a ticket of the travel date
• People who have been ordered or have a written assignment from the agency to perform duties in the prevention and control of diseases in Phuket
• People who have been ordered by government agencies to go or perform urgent “missions” in Phuket
• People who have court appointments/court business
• People transporting construction materials, machinery and spare parts used for maintenance… But only if the materials are used in the implementation of projects to solve the flood problem. . . Or projects of the state, state enterprises, other government agencies in solving problems of people’s troubles or in case of urgent need
• Further, any cases that have “practical problems” that must be diagnosed and ordered. The incident commander at the Phuket checkpoint shall have the authority to review these “practical problems” on a case by case basis.

[Pegasus]

Officials inspect Phuket and consider Covid-19 lockdown extension

As Covid cases surge and weekly infections rates are now over 10 times the original threshold of 90 infections that would prompt a reconsidering of the Phuket Sandbox, officials in Phuket are now discussing an extension of lockdown measures on the island. Pol Maj-General Surachet Hakparn (yes, Big Joke is back!) and his team inspected the Phuket Sandbox and the 7+7 Extension scheme that allows people to leave Phuket after their first 7 days and travel to one of the approved zones in Krabi, Phang Nga, and the Koh Samui islands for their second week of the arrival observation period.

The major-general said that Phuket authorities are working with the National Health Security Office to find solutions for the increase in cases. They may conclude that an extension is needed of the domestic lockdown measures in place in Phuket. They also are looking for ways to lessen the cost of testing, asking for financial assistance to reduce the costs or provide free tests. Currently Phuket is currently listed as an Orange Zone. There are two levels of restrictions higher - Red Zones and Dark Red Zones, like Bangkok.

The team inspected Phuket International Airport to observe procedures there for arriving international travellers. They checked out the safety measures and preparations to continue to welcome foreigners and tourists to the island safely despite the sharp increase in Covid-19 infections. They also inspected the Tha Chatchai checkpoint. There, large crowds of people waited to received Covid-19 tests to confirm they were negative and allowed to enter the province.

With the current lockdown measures ,mostly curbing domestic travel into Phuket, those wishing to enter must not only have a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of arrival and confirmation of their vaccination, but also a work permit or documentation that they meet the few categories allowed into Phuket now.

[Sundance2020]

Phuket extends tight entry restrictions until September 15.2021

Tight entry restrictions to Phuket have been extended until at least for the next two weeks, according to a provincial order imposed yesterday. Domestic entry onto the island province by land, water, and air is prohibited, with the exception of essential vehicles, residents returning home, and travellers entering under the “Sandbox” scheme. Those allowed to enter Phuket under the exceptions must also be vaccinated against Covid-19. The main checkpoint is closed from 11:00 pm to 4:00 am. Entry during the nightly hours is only allowed if travel is essential. During the normal hours, checkpoint officers will determine entry on a case by case basis.So who is allowed to enter Phuket?

Essential and emergency vehicles

• ambulance, patients that require emergency treatment, lifeguards, rescue,
• transporting drugs and medical supplies
• transporting consumer goods such as agricultural products livestock animal feed
• transporting cooking gas
• bank money transport – financial situation
• transport parcels and publications
• transportation of construction materials, spare parts, and machinery
• Ship freight to import and export goods at Leek Phuket Seaport, oil terminal port, PTT Phuket and other cargo groups
• Transport tools, equipment, raw materials, products and part of basic maintenance from telecommunications, energy automotive, aerospace, and other industries

Phuket residents
Those returning home must have their “blue book,” or other proof of their residential address in Phuket.

Those with permission from government and health officials
Those who have been ordered from the disease control officials and have duty to protect Phuket and those ordered by government agencies to travel for urgent missions are allowed to enter Phuket.

Sandbox and “7+7” Travellers
“Sandbox” and “7+7 extension” travellers along with their drivers are allowed to enter Phuket. The drivers must also show relevant documents at the checkpoint. The “7+7” island hop scheme connects reopening projects in seven destinations.

Those with vaccine appointments or court hearings
Those with appointments with courts or for a second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine are allowed to enter Phuket. Those with court hearings or appointments can only enter if it is an urgent case and proof that missing an appointment could lead to consequences must be presented to checkpoint officers. People who have appointments to get the second shot of vaccine in Phuket will need to show a document with proof of their appointment in Phuket. These travellers must be tested for Covid-19 through an antigen or PCR test at least an hour before entering the province.

Students
Students who need to enter Phuket for educational purposes must show ID card to checkpoint officers. For those under 18, who are not eligible for a vaccination, a Covid-19 test must be done before entering.

Requirements to enter Phuket

Vaccinated against Covid-19
Those who are entering Phuket domestically, unless under certain circumstances, must be vaccinated against Covid-19. The vaccinations recognised by Phuket health officials include Sinovac, Sinopharm, Sputnik V, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson. The last dose of the vaccine must have been administered at least 14 days before arrival. Those who have recovered from Covid symptoms within 90 days before arrival do not need to be vaccinated.

Test negative for Covid-19
A Covid-19 test must be done before entering Phuket, either by the antigen test or the PCR method. The negative result must be presented to checkpoint officers.

Registration
Travellers entering Phuket must to register through www.gophuget.com and show QR code to checkpoint officers before entering Phuket

Travelers must book Advance Accommodation
Those who visit Phuket as a tourist must show proof of hotel reservation with payment made in advance. If staying more than seven days, the traveller must be tested for Covid-19.

Weekly Covid-19 testing for “7+7 extension” Travellers
Travellers and others involved in the island hop “7 + 7 extension” project to the “Sandbox” must undergo an antigen Covid-19 test every week. Travellers a required to be fully vaccinated to enter Thailand under the “Sandbox” scheme. Boat captains, guides, and others involved in the extension project must also be vaccinated.

Covid-19 testing before arrival for Children and Teenagers
Children and teenagers younger than 18 must undergo a Covid-19 test at least an hour before arrival.