Covid-19 Update

Published on 9/16/2021 - Issue Q3/2021

In late August, the situation started improving. The overall cases are going down and the vaccination rates are going up. The occupancy rate of hospital beds has decreased lately. The government plans to ease existing restrictions effective 1 September 2021.

Under the restrictions, Thailand is classified in three zones:

• Dark-red Zones: Maximum and strict control zones (for example: Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Rayong)
• Red Zones: Strict control zones (for example: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani)
• Orange Zones: Control zones (for example: Krabi, Phuket, Surat Thani)

Depending on the zone, certain restrictions apply, such as

• restrictions to travel (dark red zones maintain the curfew from 9pm to 4am);
• public gatherings (25 in dark red, 50 in red and 100 in orange zones);
• dining-in (different opening times and occupancy depending on the zones);
• shopping malls (opening times as well as venues permitted to open depend on the zone),
• beauty salons and similar;
• education institutes and
• sport venues.

Interprovincial travel will be permitted again, and domestic flights will commence from 1 September.

Notably, the government considers applying different requirements to fully vaccinated people. Thus, vaccinated persons should make an effort to pick up the required documentation (vaccination certificate). The government will also introduce an application that will serve as electronic vaccination passport.