Thailand reports first local Omicron case, eyes reinstating quarantine

Foreign tourists arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport during the first day of the country’s reopening campaign, part of the government’s plan to jump-start the pandemic-hit tourism sector in Bangkok, Thailand November 1, 2021. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

BANGKOK, Dec 20 (Reuters) – Thailand is considering reinstating mandatory quarantine for foreign visitors due to concerns over the spread of Omicron, as the health ministry reported on Monday the country’s first case of local transmission of the coronavirus variant.

The public health ministry will propose scrapping a quarantine waiver for vaccinated visitors and revert to hotel quarantine and a “sandbox” programme, which allows free movement in specific locations, minister Anutin Charnvirakul said.

The proposal was driven by worries over the spread of Omicron, Anutin told the Inside…