Thailand Approves Extension of Emergency as Tourists Return

(Bloomberg) -- Thailand will extend a state of emergency through November to prevent a resurgence in coronavirus outbreak as it rolls out a special visa program for foreign visitors to revive its ailing tourism industry.

The national Covid-19 task force chaired by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha on Wednesday approved the extension of nationwide emergency rules through Nov. 30, according to Teerapat Prayoonsit, permanent secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office.

The one-month extension, when approved by the cabinet next week, would be the seventh since the initial order in March. The emergency rules allow the government to enforce mandatory quarantines and streamline disease-control plans without multiple approvals from various agencies. The measures were set to end on Oct. 31.

Thailand received its first batch of foreign tourists in almost seven months on Tuesday under its special long-stay visa program that allows visitors to stay as long as 270 days. The nation has struggled to reopen its borders due to local opposition and concern among the public of a fresh domestic outbreak.

Mounting anti-government protests have also emerged as a potential trigger for a fresh wave of infections. Youth-led demonstrations have swept Thailand despite the imposition of a state of emergency in Bangkok last week and crackdowns on protesters.

Other proposals cleared by the Covid-19 panel include:

• Allowing passengers of cruise ships and yachts to enter Thailand after a 14-day quarantine on board
• Entry of foreigners into spas and retirement homes with a mandatory isolation
• Panel also considering green nod for visitors and investors from low-risk jurisdictions such as China, Hong Kong, and Singapore with a 10-day quarantine period

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.