The National Emerging Infectious Diseases Committee has agreed to welcome three groups of people to the country but not general tourists.
Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said after the committee’s meeting that the committee approved a draft permission for three groups of people.
The first group contains diplomats, consuls, representatives of international organizations, shipping agents and foreigners with work permits.
The second group includes Thai returnees and the third group concerns foreign patients, except COVID-19 patients, who want medical treatment in Thailand.
Tourists would not be allowed in for the time being, Mr Anutin said.
Thai and foreigners who plan long stays in the country would have to be quarantined. It had not been concluded if the requirement would also apply to the business people whose stay would be limited at 14 days, he said.
He also said that such visitors should not be forced to wear face masks because it was individuals’ rights. However, provincial governors had power to require the use of face masks in their provinces, Mr Anutin said. (TNA)