Welcome Back! Phuket Hotels Prepared to Welcome Tourists

The world’s tourism industry eyes are on Phuket just two days before Phuket reopens its borders via the Phuket Sandbox program. Hotels in Phuket said they are set to open and have taken steps to welcome foreign tourists starting July 1.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said that the government would continue the sandbox program; he added that health safety measures should be adequate to stop the spread of Covid-19.

Boonsong Suratod, Cape Panwa Hotel’s front office manager, confirmed that the hotel had been authorized by SHA+ Amazing Thailand Safety & Health Administration and the sandbox program to begin receiving foreign tourists this coming Thursday. “All employees have been inoculated, and guestrooms, restaurants, as well as other amenities are prepared to accommodate foreign visitors; we have trained and informed our employees to adhere to health protocols against Covid-19 strictly,” he noted.

Jirapong Tubyen, front office manager for Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, said that The hotel would strictly implement all program rules, including social distancing employees from customers and maintaining clean rooms, restaurants, and contact spots like chairs, tables, and doors.

Sri Panwa Hotel receptionist Apinya Techawanto confirmed that the hotel’s employees got the complete two doses of COVID-19 vaccine. She explained that guests staying at the hotel are obliged to take a Covid-19 test at Phuket International Airport in accordance with Department of Disease Control rules before the hotel provides sanitized transfer vehicles to pick them up.

To prevent Covid-19 spread, hotel employees scheduled to pick them up will wear PPE’s or Personal Protective Equipment such as protective clothes and face masks.  They’ve been instructed to conform to social distance guidelines, she added. She also explained that tourists who have negative Covid-19 test results would be permitted to leave their hotels and travel around Phuket.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, about 460 companies and 300 accommodations on the island have passed SHA+ Amazing Thailand Safety & Health Administration. Meanwhile, officials have called operators of boats and piers to a seminar to train them on how to handle tourists safely.

Source: Bangkok Post