Thailand: Entry granted to travellers seeking medical treatment but under strict control


Medical staffs wearing personnel protective equipment (PPE) are seen before working at the Covid-19 testing laboratory at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International airport amid the spread of the coronavirus disease in Thailand. - Reuters
BANGKOK, July 16 (Xinhua): Despite the recent scare of two foreigners testing positive for Covid-19 in Thailand, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said that it will allow Thailand's medical tourism and wellness programmess to go ahead.

Thailand's Ministry of Public Health will be disclosing a list of hospitals that pass its criteria next week, and the first group of medical tourists will land in Thailand in the next two weeks, said CCSA spokesman Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin.

"However inbound travellers in the medical tourism and wellness programs will be supervised closely," said Taweesin, "they will not be allowed to enter public places while in the programme."

The inbound visitors, arriving under a special visa, will be provided with massage and spa services, fitness programmes, healthy meals and herbal products.

The CCSA has reported that more than 1,700 medical tourists have registered for the programme.

The first batch of visitors will come from 17 countries, including Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, China, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

After their 14-day quarantine and treatment are over, the visitors can then travel around Thailand.

Also, medical tourists who test positive for Covid-19 will be treated for the virus in special areas prepared for foreigners at private hospitals, said Taweesin.

Medical tourists will undergo Covid-19 tests three times, before flying into Thailand, upon arrival and before flying out of Thailand to return home.

The CCSA said that only medical tourists travelling by air will be granted entry into Thailand, and all must have a certificate of entry from a Thai embassy. - Xinhua

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