The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is urging would-be Thai returnees to isolate at alternative accommodation and pay for their own quarantine expenses in order to reduce the strain on the government's finances.
According to CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin, the average cost of a 14-day stay at state quarantine venues is about 14,000 baht, not including medicines.
Because of the increasing number of returnees, more venues will have to be designated as state quarantine venues, increasing the burden on the government, Dr Taweesilp said, before adding that more than 60,000 Thais have returned to Thailand on repatriation flights to date.
"Those who can afford to stay at alternative accommodation, such as upscale hotels, are encouraged to do so," he said.
When asked about repatriation flights, Dr Taweesilp said the government has decided to increase the quota of Thai returnees from 200 to 600 a day, due to a surge in demand.
The CCSA is considering whether to allow four groups of foreigners to enter the kingdom. The first comprise foreign trade fair organisers who will be allowed to stay in Thailand for a limited time, while the second consists of film production crews with clear production schedules and shooting locations.
The third group consists of foreign workers from neighbouring countries, and the last group are foreign travellers on medical and wellness programmes, he said.
"All must stay in state or hospital quarantine for 14 days," he said.
Referring to The New York Times' article about Thailand's successful handling of Covid-19, the spokesperson attributed the country's success to people's active cooperation.
Regarding people's concerns over foreign diplomats living in condominiums, the spokesperson said that the Foreign Affairs Ministry has asked all embassies in Thailand to make sure that their diplomats observe quarantine requirements.
