Authorities on Thursday began screening people wanting to enter Phuket, and charging foreigners for a Covid-19 test.

People arriving from the 18 provinces designated red ("maximum control") zones must prove they have received two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine or have a Covid-free certificate, issued within 72 hours of arriving.

If not, visitors will be required to take a test upon arrival.

The test is free of charge for Thais but foreigners must pay 500 baht, the Phuket governor said.

To take a rapid test, visitors use their ID cards to register, then receive a nasal swab test and wait for the result. The process takes about 45 minutes.

If the result comes back negative, they will receive a Covid-free certificate valid for 72 hours. They then will be required to download the "Mor Chana'' mobile tracking app and register on www.gophuket.com.

Those arriving from provinces designated orange ("control") zones will have a body temperature check, must download the Mor Chana app, share their GPS location throughout their stay and register on www.gophuket.com.

The island has now logged more than 250 new infections since Thailand's third wave began.