Public Health Ministry to Release List of Golf Resorts ASQs

As part of the government’s drive to introduce more activities that can help make quarantine more tolerable for tourists, the Public Health Ministry is set to release a list of golf resorts that are already accredited to function as alternative state quarantine facilities.

As opposed to hotel quarantine, in which there is little to no activities depending on the hotel one is booked on, golf quarantine scheme will allow isolated tourists to enjoy a game of golf in each of the 14 days that they are under monitoring for the COVID-19.

Dr. Tares Krassanairawiwong, director-general of the Department of Health Service Support, said that six resorts have sent their applications to provide this service to quarantined tourists. He said that the Ministry of Public Health will release information on which of these resorts have been officially authorized to function as alternative state quarantine facilities.

Addressing fears of further COVID-19 infection, Dr. Tares said that the offer for golf quarantine is only limited to tourists coming from countries classified as low-risk by the government of Thailand.

Like any other foreigner entering Thailand in this time of pandemic, these tourists will also need to secure Certificates of Entry from the Thai Embassy and present a proof of negative result for COVID-19 tests administered 72 hours before departure.

They must also provide proof of booking secured from the certified golf course under the program that they will be spending their first 14 days in Thailand in.

Like all foreigners currently arriving in Thailand, these tourists will also be subject to the new testing schedule of three tests – one at the beginning of the quarantine, one at the 9th or 10th day, and a last one at the 13th or 14th day of quarantine.

If they are found positive, these tourists will be admitted admittedly to a private hospital with which the golf resort has an agreement with. They will be shouldering their own medical bills, which is why they will also need to secure a COVID-19 insurance policy to cover their possible hospitalization.

The Deputy Director of the DHSS, Dr. Arkhom Praditsuwan, added that they have already formulated health control measures to be followed by the caddies in the resort to further prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The national government is targeting golfers from the East Asian countries of Taiwan, Japan, China and South Korea.

The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration also announced a slate of changes involving the 30-day tourist visa, which has recently been reactivated to attract tourists who are not keen on long-stay holidays offered by the Special Tourist Visa.

The CCSA spokesperson Dr. Taweesin Visayunothin said that the government is allowing tourists with 30-day visas to apply for a special 15-day extension to make up for the two weeks spent in quarantine. These foreigners have until December 29 to apply for the extension.

The government has also relaxed the criteria on the Special Tourist Visa, with the program now open to foreigners from all countries instead of just being limited to “low risk” nations.

Source:

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2037767/quarantine-golf-courses-to-be-named