Whether you enjoy mild weather, or prefer your dose of Vitamin D, you are now spoiled for choice because two stunning island destinations, including a European country, are welcoming South African visitors again. But there are a few restrictions and testing requirements on the cards.
According to a statement, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced that that under new quarantine regulations approved by the Royal Thai Government, fully vaccinated foreign tourists visiting Phuket, Surat Thani, Phang-Nga, and Krabi via the relevant sandbox programmes can now stay for only seven days before being able to move on to other parts of Thailand.
“As of today (1 October, 2021), the quarantine time for fully vaccinated international travellers arriving in Thailand, including the pilot reopening destinations through the Alternative Quarantine (AQ) system, will be reduced from 14 to seven days,” the statement reads.
This reduced quarantine time applies to those visiting under the “Sandbox” programme to Phuket, Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao), Phang-Nga (Khao Lak and Ko Yao), and Krabi (Ko Phi Phi, Ko Ngai and Railay Beach), and also means that fully vaccinated tourists can now travel straight to the designated areas of Phang-Nga and Krabi upon landing in Phuket, and stay there for seven days.
Mauritius also carried out its plans to reopen to foreign visitors, however, unvaccinated visitors must still remain in a bubble on the resort for 14 days. Those who are fully vaccinated will be able to freely explore the island and its attractions.
To enter Mauritius, you must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure. For hotel stays, a mandatory antigen test is required on arrival at your hotel (day 0) and again on day 5 of your stay. These will be chargeable subject to your hotel policy, Mauritius Now states.
“We are delighted that we will be able to restart our long-standing relationship after an 18-month ban on travel,” director of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), Arvind Bundhun explained.
Meanwhile, according to Business Insider, on Friday, the Netherlands removed South Africa from its list of “very high risk” countries with effect from 9am.
From today (Oct 1, 2021) the mandatory quarantine rule for people travelling from #SouthAfrica to the #Netherlands has been lifted. You can now travel with either a Covid-19 vaccination or test certificate. ?????
— Clayson Monyela (@ClaysonMonyela) October 1, 2021
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