Bangkok, 29 March, 2020, at 21.00 Hrs. – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide further updates on Phuket’s latest measures to prevent and mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Mr. Phakaphong Tavipatana, Governor of Phuket Province and Director of the Committee of Communicable Disease of Phuket Province, issued announcement No. 11/2020 dated 29 March, 2020, on the temporary closure of all entry and exit points – land and sea – into the island, effective from 00.01 Hrs. of 30 March, 2020, until 30 April, 2020 or further notice.
Land checkpoint: The order prohibits people and all kinds of vehicles from entering and leaving the province via the Thai Chat Chai Checkpoint. Exceptions are made for vehicles transporting food and essential items, fuel, construction materials, medical equipment, rescue operation vehicles, ambulances, vehicles for state operations, and vehicles carrying publications.
International ports: The order also prohibits people and all kinds of vessels from entering and leaving through Phuket’s international ports. Exception is made for cargo ships to unload their cargoes, but the ships and all crew are not allowed to disembark and must leave Phuket immediately after finishing their operations.
Inter-provincial waterways: People and all kinds of vessels are also banned from entering and leaving Phuket through inter-provincial waterways. Exception is made for vessels transporting food and essential items, construction materials, medical equipment, rescue boats, and medical emergency vessels.
The order exempts people assigned to tackle emergencies, diplomats and consular officials, international organisations, and representatives of foreign countries, who must have permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or other state agencies. In addition, they must have medical certificates issued in the past 72 hours and must strictly comply with the disease control measures.
The order does not include Phuket International Airport, which remains open. However, travellers are to strictly comply with the preventive and surveillance measures including completing the T.8 form via the AOT Airports Application.
Phuket’s latest announcement is in addition to the closure of beaches, zoos and walking street; the letter seeking collaboration of local residents and tourists to remain in their residence; and a raft of other preventive and surveillance measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.
TAT is constantly providing updates on the tourism-related COVID-19 situation in Thailand at the TAT Newsroom (https://www.tatnews.org/). For additional information and assistance relating to Thailand’s tourism, contact the TAT Contact Centre 1672 or Tourist Police 1155.
For constant updates of Thailand’s COVID-19 control measures for travellers, please visit https://ddc.moph.go.th/viralpneumonia/eng/index.php.
This press release is published on 29 March, 2020, at 21.00 Hrs. All information is accurate at the current time but can be changed depending on the situation. The TAT Newsroom will not be updating this press release but will issue new updates as soon as further information becomes available.