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Once one of the strictest countries in the world regarding pandemic management, Thailand is proposing to declare Covid an endemic disease in three major tourist hotspots. Soon, tourists may enjoy a much freer Phuket, Koh Samui and Koh Chang, ahead of a wider relaxation in rules already set to take place later in the year.
The measure was announced by the Public Health Ministry itself, reinforcing rumors the so-called ‘endemic sandboxes’ will become a reality soon. Throughout the crisis, the Ministry had been one to back several restrictive measures that, in effect, barred a majority of tourists from entering Thailand.
The announcement signals a drastic change in approach for the Ministry, as health officials seem to be finally willing to back reopening efforts:
