Will the Phuket sandbox continue?

[Ian31]

I have friends planning to come to Thailand in mid August.Just curious to know if the Phuket sandbox will continue as there were 65 cases yesterday and a total 298 cases in the last week,more than 3 times the 90 weekly limit set by the Phuket authorities .Can you kindly shed some light on this,thanks.

[HuaHinHappy]

I expect that the sandbox will continue. Loss of face issue.  The infections won't be slowed until Thailand can get the vaccines which manage the Delta variant.  I believe it more likely for air service to be suspended which will  be a defacto suspension of the sandbox.

[Shark]

The show must go on. This is the working title of the Sandbox / Sand Castle.

[oldcpu]

IMHO the Sandbox will continue, unless it is proven that more new COVID-19 cases come from International Travellers than domestic locals.  If that shift to foreigners causing most new cases should happen, then I think the Sandbox would be at risk of closure.

 

Note though there are many restrictions in place in Phuket. Bars closed. No alcohol can be served nor drank in restaurants. 9pm restaurant closures. Various public facilities closed (such as swimming pools).

If after 14 days in Phuket one wishes to leave the island for elsewhere in Thailand, returning could be an issue as the island is closed to incoming non-essential domestic traffic.

Edited August 6, 2021 by oldcpu

[JamesE]

I hope they don't shut it down, I booked flights yesterday.

 

[gummy]

15 hours ago, JamesE said:

I hope they don't shut it down, I booked flights yesterday.

Well all I can say is don't go to the casino today as your luck may be out, but you never know

[SomTum]

On 8/6/2021 at 8:02 AM, JamesE said:

I hope they don't shut it down, I booked flights yesterday.

Have a great time!

I doubt they will return to the pre-Sandbox requirement of 15 nights in your room at an ASQ. The loss of face would be too much.

I think having to spend the first three days within the hotel grounds (the Samui Plus model) could happen if they start finding a lot of tourists are testing positive on day 3.