In Thailand, tourists are offered to spend quarantine on yachts and in golf clubs
As BBC notes, the offer applies to tourists with a negative COVID test, which, however, does not exempt them from the need to spend the required period in self-isolation. For those who cannot afford to rent a private yacht, cabins on small cruise ships off the coast of Phuket are offered.
About 100 yachts will take part in the government program. Passengers will be given special bracelets that record body temperature and blood pressure, and also function as GPS, which will prevent them from going ashore ahead of time. Data from the bracelets can be read by ground services at a distance of 10 kilometers.
In January, the authorities already introduced another scheme attractive to tourists – quarantine in golf clubs. Usually, golf courses are located far from densely populated areas, occupy vast territories, and clubs offer private houses for rent.
Tourism is the main source of income for the Thai economy. The ban on flights has seriously affected the situation of the population, most of whom are employed in the tourism industry. Before the pandemic, 40-50 thousand people arrived in Thailand daily; in March last year, the country completely closed its borders and began to gradually open only in October. But until now, the number of daily arrivals was in the hundreds, which is extremely low to support the tourism industry.
The authorities plan to introduce a quarantine system in hotels from April or May, but in such a way that guests can leave their rooms and spend time comfortably. Details of this plan will be announced later.