Coronavirus: Thailand suspends quarantine-free entry; Singapore finds Omicron gym cluster; New Zealand delays border reopening

Amid rising Omicron cases in Thailand, tourism-dependent nation suspends approval of non-quarantine entry for visitors

Singapore’s health ministry detects cluster of three cases in double-jabbed people; Omicron confirmed in two of them

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People wearing face masks pass a sign put up to encourage social distancing at Marina Bay in Singapore. Photo: Reuters

Published: 9:03am, 21 Dec 2021Updated: 6:03pm, 21 Dec 2021

Thailand has halted its quarantine-free entry programme after less than two months, citing concerns about the potential spread of the Omicron variant by arriving tourists.

The Covid-19 panel chaired by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha suspended approval of visitors for quarantine-free entry from Tuesday to January 4 amid rising imported cases of the strain.

The panel will reassess the policy on January 4, said Deputy Prime Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow.

Thai dancers in face masks and shields during a performance at the nearly empty tourist spot of Erawan Shrine in Bangkok on December 21. The nation has halted quarantine-free entry to the country. Photo: EPA-EFE

Tourism-dependent Thailand waived the requirement for more than 60 jurisdictions last month provided travellers were fully vaccinated and had negative tests for the virus both before and immediately after arrival in the country.

About 200,000 visitors previously approved to enter without quarantine will still be allowed in, although they will be closely-monitored and must comply with additional measures like having more PCR tests while in Thailand, said a government spokesman.

Of the travellers approved for quarantine-free entry, 110,000 have already arrived. Reimposing a lockdown will be a last resort, said Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

Singapore detects gym cluster

Singapore’s ministry of health said late on Monday it has detected a cluster of three Covid-19 cases linked to a gym, of whom two have tested preliminarily positive for the Omicron variant and the result for the remaining case is pending.