Thailand’s public health officials proposing ‘Endemic Sandboxes’ to legally reopen nightlife

Thailand is getting closer and closer to the endemic phase of its Covid response. Achingly slow but now with at least a proposal to be tabled at the next CCSA meeting.

The Ministry of Public Health will propose ‘Endemic Sandboxes’ as a plan to allow entertainment venues to legally reopen in 3 tourist islands including Phuket, Koh Chang, and Koh Samui.

The entertainment venues in Thailand were ordered to close almost two years ago since the pandemic started in Thailand, and stringent measures were introduced to limit the spread of Covid-19. Many clusters kept appearing at bars, ‘gentlemen’s clubs’ and places where alcohol was served which empowered the Thai government to particularly target Thailand’s nightlife.

Most of the businesses have since been allowed to reopen but they were forced to register for SHA+ accreditation and operate as converted restaurants, allowing…